Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I can guarantee is that Ireland, at the heart of the EU, will maintain the integrity of the Single Market, which is critical. We see our place as being at the heart of Europe. We see the benefits for the Irish people, the Irish agrifood business, farmers and food producers to be at the heart of a European Union that is a trading bloc of 500 million people. As a very active member of that European Union, we will not allow the Single Market to be undermined and we will vigorously uphold that market. That is why the EU cannot accept proposals which impact on the integrity of the Single Market or that damage the long-term political or economic interests of the Union, of which we are an integral part. I assure the Deputy of that.

At the same time, we would like to see as close a working relationship with the UK as possible, and we are doing everything on our side to try to make that happen. For any deal to happen, there has to be agreement on both sides. We have always been extremely clear within the EU as to what our goals are around the level playing field and similarity of standards. We will continue to uphold them into the future.

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