Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note from a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy O’Dea, that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, met the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Right Honourable Esther McVey, on Monday, 23 April 2018. The Minister stated that she has a broad agreement to preserve the status quoin the field of social security for both Irish and UK citizens moving within the common travel area. I emphasise "broad agreement". We are glad to see such bilateral meetings taking place, given that the UK will exit from the EU in approximately nine months from now. It is crucial that detailed and extensive work is done to ensure that the commitments given to maintain the common travel area are translated into reality.

It might surprise the Tánaiste to know that a Senator in his own party, Senator Neale Richmond, has said that these bilateral discussions with London would undo any EU solidarity we have enjoyed and maintained. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments on that statement, which was quite worrying because it is my view and that of the Fianna Fáil Party that bilateral discussions are essential. Maintaining a good relationship with the UK following Brexit is essential also. Citizens on this island and those in our nearest neighbour, the UK, want those reassurance also. It is important that when Senator Richmond is sent out to bat for the Tánaiste, he is on the same message that Team Ireland, in terms of all of us in this House, is on.

In the event of a no-deal or a cliff-edge scenario, will the Tánaiste outline what he considers to be the implications for the common travel area?

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