Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I stress to Deputy Ó Laoghaire that we are dealing with this legislation solely in respect of the consequences of a crash out or a no-deal Brexit. We are looking at putting together a comprehensive contingency plan for that scenario. From the outset of the contingency planning, the need to ensure the protection of the citizenship provisions of the Good Friday Agreement was clear to the Government throughout the process. Indeed, that was not just a priority objective of the Irish Government but also an objective of the European Union as a whole. It is important to acknowledge that.

I am not sure of the extent to which amending Irish citizenship laws can have the desired effect that Deputy Ó Laoghaire believes is possible. I am not sure of the extent to which we can legislate in respect of part of the United Kingdom. I would prefer to continue the process of dialogue, North-South and east-west, that has been expressly arranged under the Good Friday Agreement and to continue the engagement between the European Union and the United Kingdom to ensure that access to all the rights and benefits of the European Union will be preserved for the people of Northern Ireland. That is a far more positive means of achieving that objective than by attempting to legislate or changing our legislation. It is an almost unique position for the European Union to have a body of people who will be EU citizens not living within the European Union. Perhaps there is a similar situation in parts of Moldova as far as Romania is concerned. In any event, the Government is particularly conscious of this matter, and whether it is a no-deal, hard-deal or soft Brexit, Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland will continue to be European Union citizens.

I will not accept the amendments for the reasons stated earlier. I would be happy to pursue the important issues raised regarding citizenship, but they are not particularly relevant to this legislation nor can they be dealt with satisfactorily in this legislation. However, they certainly can be dealt with through the process already arranged in the Good Friday Agreement and consequent agreements. Regardless of what happens regarding the form and scope of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, we will continue to engage in a way that is fully protective of our citizens.

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