Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions and questions. Very clearly, Brexit remains a key issue for this Government and House, even as we face the challenges of Covid-19. In responding to Brexit, the Government has faced this tough task with welcome support from this House on priority issues that have been at the centre of our strategy. The solidarity and support shown by all sides in the debate here at home, not just today but up to this point, have been important in addressing our Brexit challenges. Although we may differ occasionally on matters of approach or emphasis, which is only natural, the priorities we have pursued have been supported across both Houses. For our part, we will continue to work closely with parties and other stakeholders as this work proceeds and as long as we are in a position to do so. At the same time, Ireland will face these challenges with the mutual solidarity and support of our EU partners and with all the strengths EU membership brings.

To confirm and reiterate what the Tánaiste has outlined, I can state from continuously engaging with my own European colleagues that solidarity remains strong. We remain fully committed to making sure that Ireland's interests will be protected and advanced in negotiations on the EU–UK future relationship.

Equally, it is important that, over the transition period, we see the full implementation of the withdrawal agreement and the protocol. This, as many Deputies have outlined, is not negotiable. It has already been negotiated and is legally underpinned. This is key to protecting citizens and to ensuring peace and stability in Northern Ireland. It also plays a vital role in protecting the Single Market and Ireland's place in it. The link between implementation and the future partnership negotiation is very clear. The protocol must be operational at the end of the transition period. It is critical, therefore, that work move forward to put practical operational arrangements in place to implement the protocol. Again, we have seen how long it has taken us to put our own measures in place at our ports and airports.

Clarity on this work is particularly important to give reassurance and certainty, especially to people and businesses in Northern Ireland but also across the entire island.

The Government continues to work closely with our EU partners to ensure that our collective approach to these negotiations reflects our values and interests, but we also continue to engage with key figures and interlocutors on Brexit issues within the UK. Officials from across the Government are continuing their work to make sure that Ireland's voice is at the heart of the future relationship negotiations that work between the EU and the UK to implement the protocol is taken forward and to ensure that, domestically, Ireland is prepared for the end of the transition period.

As we know, time is tight. With less than seven months to the end of the transition period, our work will undoubtedly intensify in the period ahead. We remain committed to doing everything in our power to ensure the Government, citizens and businesses are as ready as we can be before the end of the transition. As the Tánaiste alluded to, and as I made reference to this morning in the stakeholder forum, the structures for engagement that were put in place between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of the Taoiseach are still in place and that will continue, irrespective of who is in what Ministry or what Government is in place.

On the positive side, we have in place the withdrawal agreement. The issue of Northern Ireland has been agreed in the protocol. The Government's preparedness work will be closely aligned with progress on the negotiations and will evolve as elements of the deal become clearer. As the talks progress, we will roll out communications programmes covering specific areas. As before, Departments and agencies will continue to engage with key stakeholders, taking into account the significant challenges businesses, individuals and sectors currently face with Covid-19.

As the Tánaiste mentioned earlier, whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations between the EU and the UK, the status quowill not remain. As we have always said, Brexit will bring significant change. It is important that Ireland is ready. The Government stands ready and has continued to work to make sure that Ireland as a whole is prepared.

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