Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will begin by making a brief comment on the announcement today by Vice-President Šefčovič extending the grace period for the importing of chilled and non-frozen meats to Northern Ireland from Britain. This follows a formal request by the UK Government to the EU. There were some other announcements today, one of which is on the very important issue of green insurance cards for drivers from outside the EU which now, unfortunately, includes those in Northern Ireland and Britain. The requirement for UK drivers to have such cards has now been removed by the European Commission which is very welcome. This will have a hugely positive impact on those travelling from Northern Ireland into the Republic. There were other announcements about guide dogs.

The EU has shown tremendous flexibility today and a willingness to stretch as far as possible within the confines of existing legislation. The member states have also worked very proactively and I have had lots of discussions with them, as has the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney. The EU has shown today its commitment to making the protocol work for the people of Northern Ireland and its respect for both traditions there. The Northern Ireland protocol is a two-way street. It is the responsibility of the EU and the UK Government to ensure it is jointly owned and operated. It shows clearly that co-operation and a bilateral approach to the protocol can lead to concrete and long term solutions. Implementation of the protocol should be two-sided from now on.

I would like to commend the business communities in the Republic as well as in the North for their robust response to the challenges posed by Brexit. The Government continues to support businesses to face the challenges that lie ahead through grants and training and information is available on the Government website in that regard at www.gov.ie/Brexit.

I thank Deputies for their statements and questions and will report on some of the issues that the Taoiseach mentioned.

The issue of migration was mentioned. This is a complicated discussion, which is much broader than the discussion of the issue we have here. We have to support our EU colleagues who have to deal with migration in much tougher circumstances than we do.

On cybersecurity, leaders condemned the recent malicious activities against Ireland and Poland and some information was shared on that.

On Turkey, the European Council resumed discussions on EU-Turkey relations. Leaders expressed their readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance co-operation in a number of areas of common interest, subject to the conditionality set out in March and in previous Council conclusions. EU leaders welcomed the de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean and stressed that it should be sustained. They also took note of the initiation of minor technical work on a mandate for the modernisation of the EU-Turkey customs union and for preparatory work on high-level dialogues with Turkey on pressing interests of mutual concern. EU leaders expressed their continuing concern about the rule of law and fundamental rights in Turkey, particularly the targeting of political parties, human rights defenders and the media.

On financial assistance to refugees, which was mentioned by a number of colleagues, the Council called on the Commission to put forward, without delay, formal proposals for the continuation of financing for Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey. The Commission produced an outlined proposal on the eve of the European Council meeting, which is being assessed.

On the Cyprus issue, leaders reiterated their commitment to a settlement on the basis of a bicommunal and bizonal federation with political equality, and expressed regret that the informal meeting in Geneva in April did not pave the way for the resumption of formal negotiations.

Ireland is in favour of developing a more stable and constructive EU-Turkey relationship but this depends on Turkey's actions. We welcome the fact that Turkey has largely maintained the de-escalation in its neighbourhood, although we continue to regret its stance on the issue of Cyprus. We are in favour of continuous support of the 4 million refugees and host communities in Turkey. On wider EU-Turkey relations, particularly the customs union, a positive track is possible but substantial steps forward are required, not only in de-escalation in the neighbourhood but also in improvements in human rights and the rule of law in Turkey.

EU leaders confirmed their commitment to the stabilisation process in Libya under the auspices of the UN. Elections should take place and their results should be accepted.

On the Sahel, President Macron updated leaders on France's recent engagement there. Ireland strongly condemns the recent developments in Mali, which are of grave concern. It is vital that the EU continues to support the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, engagement with the transitional authorities in Mali to monitor compliance. Ireland is strongly engaged in Mali. In addition to the 14 members of the Defence Forces serving in the UN multidimensional integrated stabilisation mission in Mali, some 20 Defence Forces personnel are deployed to the EU training mission in Mali. We also support other engagements.

The EU Council also discussed the issue of Ethiopia. We will work to maintain attention on that in the UN Security Council.

I thank Deputies for their questions and I assure them that the Taoiseach will continue to report on the European Council. For any specific issues that were raised, particularly via formal questions, if I have not provided a specific answer, I will arrange for the relevant Department to provide one to the relevant Deputies.

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