Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all know that Brexit has added an unwelcome dimension to our relations with the UK and brought our relationship into sharp focus as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, our largest trading partner and our nearest neighbour. I refer to the common travel area and all that flows from it regarding cross-Border matters and the rights of citizens on both sides of the Border. The Tánaiste alluded to the fact that as members of the European Union, we had an opportunity to work with the UK on various projects and we became allies. This laid the foundation for the building of the peace process at a crucial point in time. It is fair to say, though - and my party leader has pointed this out previously - that the Government took the eye off the ball regarding Ireland-UK relations and exposed us when it came to Brexit. Has the Tánaiste considered any new structures? Could he give us a little more detail in this regard? My party has suggested a model similar to the Nordic Council of Ministers in terms of structures for dialogue between the governments in a post-Brexit scenario. The Minister alluded to the fact that a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference meeting is due in the coming months. Should it not take place as soon as possible? Since it last met in November, what actions, if any, have flowed from it? I recognise that Brexit is all-consuming at present but I ask the Tánaiste to deal with those questions.

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