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

I am pleased to update the House this afternoon.

It is no secret that progress in the future partnership negotiations has been disappointing. The fourth round, which finished last Friday, did not yield any significant progress. The EU's approach to the talks is based on our published mandate and that mandate is underpinned by the political declaration agreed by the EU and the UK last October. The political declaration sets out the shared ambitions of the UK and the EU for a comprehensive future partnership agreement. This would be a partnership across a range of issues including a free trade agreement, FTA, on goods with zero tariffs and quotas. It would be a partnership with robust level playing-field commitments which ensures open and fair competition and takes into account our economic connectedness and geographic proximity. It is disappointing to see that the UK distanced itself from the declaration in areas such as fisheries and on level playing-field commitments on state aid, competition, social and employment standards, environment, climate change and relevant tax matters. Furthermore, the UK is unwilling even to discuss areas set out in the political declaration like foreign policy or development co-operation.

The political declaration is not an EU document nor is it some EU wish list. This is a document the UK negotiated with the EU. It is a document the British Government signed up to. The UK is saying that it is only seeking what the EU has given to other partners and therefore cannot accept the EU's approach on issues like level playing field, governance and fisheries. However, taken together, the UK's asks go considerably beyond precedent. In a number of areas, their asks amount to maintaining some of the rights of the Single Market but without the obligations membership brings. The EU has consistently recognised the UK's right to its own sovereignty. We accept that there will be healthy competition between the EU and the UK. However, it is in the interests of both sides that our future partnership is comprehensive with strong commitments to prevent distortions of trade and unfair competitive advantages. We are a nation of traders. Irish companies export to over 160 countries. We are not afraid of robust competition but trade should be open and should be fair. Openness and fairness are at the heart of our level playing-field provision. The EU is simply asking the UK to meet our shared commitment to uphold common high standards and to avoid dumping.

Fishing is another area of importance for this House and Members of this House. The former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, very clearly understands how vital the sector is for communities across the island. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, was one of a number of EU fisheries ministers who recently met Mr. Michel Barnier and reiterated their support for the mandate. While it is now unlikely that a fisheries agreement will be concluded by 1 July, the EU has continued to seek a sustainable and balanced agreement. I will continue engaging with UK ministers myself, as will the Tánaiste, in order to convey these concerns and stress the importance of moving ahead and operationalising the protocol on Northern Ireland.

We live in an uncertain world. Many would wish to see the transition period extended but in truth this is unlikely. Publicly and privately, the UK is saying there will be no extension. Without the extension, the transition period ends in less than seven months. I am confident that the two sides can reach an agreement. However, getting there will require follow-through on the commitments made under the political declaration and the implementation of the withdrawal agreement. Everyone also needs to be aware that, whatever the outcome of these talks, Ireland’s trading relationship with the UK will change. Given the limited progress in negotiations to date and, separately, uncertainty due to Covid-19, the Government will now intensify its Brexit-preparedness work.

We will base our approach on two scenarios: first a limited free trade agreement, FTA, in goods, with an accompanying fisheries agreement and second a hard Brexit, in which there is essentially no EU-UK trade deal. This is not about admitting defeat, this is about risk management. Ireland still supports the closet possible relationship between the EU and the UK, but we must be prepared. We continue to invest in the infrastructure necessary for the reintroduction of controls at our ports and airports. We are engaging with our partners to ensure that the UK land bridge remains an effective route to market and the Oireachtas will be asked to consider a new Brexit omnibus Bill, most likely in the autumn. We will work with the business sector in preparation for new trading environments after the transition period ends. Regardless of outcome there will be a substantial impact for supply chains and trade flows. We will provide support for businesses that must address new customs, rules of origin, regulatory and SPS processes. Businesses are of course finding the current competing demands from Covid-19 very difficult, but I would urge everybody to review and renew their Brexit plans and if they have not started to do so, to begin now.

The Withdrawal Agreement and the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland ensures that we will avoid a hard border on the island and that the gains of the Good Friday Agreement are protected and also the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland's place in it are safeguarded. Full implementation of the agreement and the protocol is an EU priority and Ireland maintains close contact with the task force on this matter. The Joint Committee and the Specialised Committees under the Withdrawal Agreement have met on one occasion each. The Joint Committee will meet again tomorrow and Ireland will again be represented. On 20 May the UK published its own approach to implementing the protocol. The paper has some positive elements to it and I welcome the clear recognition of the need for checks on agri-foods entering Northern Ireland and for the new border control post infrastructure. However, the paper is vague on other issues such as customs, tariffs and VAT. What we need now is for the UK to provide the technical detail necessary to make the protocol fully operational by the end of the transition period at the end of the year. Progress on implementation will provide certainty not just to citizens but also to business. It will create the confidence that we need across the EU to try to build our future partnership.

It is now time to take stock of the overall negotiations. It is very clear from recent contacts with my EU counterparts that the EU remains united in our support for the Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier. I believe that the two sides can reach an agreement, however it is still important for us to prepare for the changes that January will inevitably bring.

Brexit is not just a business matter either. Individuals need to understand how Brexit impacts their lives and so we will continue our public outreach to inform and advise citizens. It is, however, worth reaffirming that the common travel area will be maintained in all circumstances. The closest possible relationship between the EU and UK is clearly in Ireland's strongest interests and so too is a strong UK-Ireland relationship. The high level of engagements around Covid-19 further highlighted to all of us the importance of working together. I and our team remain committed to enhancing this relationship in all areas. The Oireachtas approach to Brexit has been consistent across all parties. We understood early on the challenges that Brexit would bring to this island. As we face into the next phase this support remains vital.

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