Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As we are speaking about engagements with foreign leaders, I take the opportunity to inform the House that the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau, will visit Ireland next Tuesday with his family. I look forward very much to his visit and to renewing the long-standing bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and Ireland. As countries, we have a great deal in common given our commitment to free trade, multilateralism, personal freedom and liberty.

I share Deputy Micheál Martin's view that we need to have the Executive and assembly up and running in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. People voted for devolved government in Northern Ireland and they should have it. It is important that Northern Ireland has a unique voice when it comes to Brexit. It should not just rely on Dublin and London to deal with these matters. A joint letter on Brexit was issued by the late Mr. Martin McGuinness and Ms Arlene Foster and it contains the basis of a position the Northern Ireland Executive could take on the future of Northern Ireland. It behoves the parties now to form that Executive and to adopt a common position in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

Our primary interest in respect of EU citizens' rights relates to the rights of Irish citizens in Britain and maintaining the effective common citizenship which exists between our two islands. Irish and British citizens can reside, work and access social security, pensions, welfare and housing in either country as if they were citizens of both. I am glad Prime Minister May feels the same way as me about that and that Irish citizens will continue to be treated not as foreign in the United Kingdom. I do not differ from the sentiments expressed by others here in that EU citizens who live in Britain should not lose the rights they currently have but then I do not think Britain should leave the EU in the first place. I have no say in that, nor does any other Member of the House.

During my talks on the phone with Prime Minister May last night, we discussed the negotiations under way in Belfast and I impressed on her the need to ensure that the outcome is balanced, that there is parity of esteem and that the Irish language Act agreed is sufficient. She mentioned that of course there are language Acts in Scotland and Wales and if there are language Acts in Scotland and Wales, why should there not be one in Northern Ireland. What we are trying to do on the Border is secure an outcome which reflects Ireland's unique position because of the land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, a great deal of what happens will depend on the final arrangements between the EU and the UK. For example, if the UK were to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union which is not dissimilar to the customs union and the Single Market, very little will have to be done. However, if the UK does not negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union, we will then be in a very different space. What we are working towards at the moment is the best possible outcome, which is Britain staying in the customs union and Single Market. If we are unable to achieve that, it will be the United Kingdom having a free trade agreement or transition agreement which would be as good as staying in the EU. If we cannot achieve that, we will be in a lesser position. We have to think about the options in all scenarios. Officials have done a great deal of work on this already. I do not know if outside expertise has been hired. I would have to check on that.

On the agencies, we have agreed at the European Council a mechanism by which the different agencies will be decided on. It will not be decided at European Council level but rather at ministerial level. We have put in very good and attractive bids for both agencies but approximately 20 countries are bidding for the two. Most countries will be disappointed. The decision will be made later in the year.

I have met President Macron three times so far and had the opportunity to discuss different things. I am aware of his vision for the future of Europe albeit of all the things we discussed on the three occasions, that was not one. It was not something he tabled or raised at the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday last. I imagine there will come a time when we have to talk about the future of Europe and what may happen beyond the existing treaty arrangements. Everyone is of the view that the time is not now given that we are in the middle of negotiations with the United Kingdom and must focus on much more practical issues.

See this speech in context