Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's comments and thank him for his kind personal comments. The recent political and technical engagements between the EU and the UK around the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol are welcome. While technical work is ongoing, I believe it is best to give the EU and UK teams space to find joint solutions that will address the concerns of people and business in Northern Ireland.

The Government continues to engage with all key stakeholders in this process. I had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak at the British-Irish Council in November and spoke to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly in December. I have also met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, twice in recent weeks. The Taoiseach spoke to the Prime Minister by telephone last week. I remain in close contact with the Northern Irish political parties and other key stakeholders in the North, including businesspeople. I have made clear the Government’s commitment to resolving the difficulties around the protocol and helping to ensure the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement can operate effectively. That involves concerns raised by unionists in respect of the operation of the protocol.

We also continue to engage extensively with our EU counterparts. The Taoiseach spoke to Commission President von der Leyen on 11 January. I met Commission Vice President, Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels earlier this month and we maintain regular contact. I can reassure the House that EU member states continue to demonstrate the same strong solidarity we have seen throughout the Brexit process.

We are grateful also for continued bipartisan US support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland. The recent appointment of a US special envoy to Northern Ireland for economic affairs is a welcome development. In all our contacts, I have been clear that shared solutions are the only sustainable way forward. Resolving the protocol issues would also enhance the EU-UK relationship, the British-Irish relationship and, above all, relationships on the island of Ireland.

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