Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with President Francois Hollande in July 2016. [27031/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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President Hollande’s visit to Dublin on 21 July had initially been planned as a full State visit, but it was curtailed following the devastating attack in Nice on Bastille Day in which 84 people were brutally murdered. In the circumstances, his visit was limited to three elements: our meeting at Government Buildings, his meeting with President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin and interaction with some members of the French community in Ireland at Dublin Castle.

At our meeting,I was accompanied by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, the EU digital single market and data protection. President Hollande was accompanied by Mr. Harlem Désir, the French Minister for European affairs. In opening the meeting I reiterated the sympathy and solidarity of the Irish people with the people of France in the wake of the horrendous attack in Nice and the other recent terrorist attacks in France. President Hollande briefed the meeting on the security situation and his government’s response. We agreed on the urgent need to accelerate ongoing work on a range of EU counter-terrorism and security actions, including promoting close and effective co-operation between police and security services. The surest way to assert and protect Europe’s fundamental values is to refuse to bow to terrorism and its assault on these values.

We discussed the EU-UK relationship, the renewal of the European Union, economic issues, external relations and counter-terrorism measures. In dealing with the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom we agreed that maintaining the closest possible partnership was key, based on a balance of rights and obligations, including in respect of the four freedoms. Our two countries are the United Kingdom’s nearest neighbours and each has unique concerns to be addressed in future negotiations. President Hollande acknowledged Ireland’s special position in the maintenance of the Good Friday Agreement and as a country with a land border with the United Kingdom. We noted the economic progress made nationally and in the euro area generally but also the risks ahead, including as a result of the outcome of the UK referendum. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to the European Union as the essential framework for peace, prosperity and security in Europe.

The confidence of citizens in the European project needs to be renewed. This can best be achieved through an improved functioning of the European Union and the faster and better delivery of practical results in areas of priority which should be the focus of European action. They include internal and external security, growth and investment in order to create jobs, fighting unemployment and strengthening our economies. It is vital that the difficult challenges facing young Europeans are addressed through ambitious programmes.

On global issues, President Hollande outlined progress made on the French initiative aimed at injecting new momentum into the Middle East peace process, an initiative in which Ireland has been participating in a situation which has now changed seriously for the worse. We also spoke about the security situation in the Sahel.President Hollande welcomed Ireland’s increase in its contribution to the EU training mission in Mali.

I also took a moment to congratulate President Hollande on the huge success of Euro 2016 and thank the mayor of Paris for acknowledging the Irish supporters who were such a feature of the competition and the celebrations.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Given the horrific attack in Nice the week before, it was good that that visit went ahead, even if it was slimmed down, and that the Taoiseach was able to express our solidarity with the President and people of France.

We cannot be blasé about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. It is very important that we argue for proper humanitarian approaches and peace processes across all of that region.

I wish to concentrate on our own situation. It is clear that President Hollande supports the Government's objectives in negotiations to minimise the impact of Brexit on the peace process, the common travel area and so on. The Taoiseach has said he raised with the French President concerns, concerns echoed by him, about the potential adverse impact on the Good Friday Agreement. I noted yesterday that the Taoiseach had given an example of where he had pointed out to the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, MP, that the Government had, rightly - in a modest way I was supportive of this - given information at the inquest into the Kingsmill massacre. The Taoiseach commended this to Mr. Brokenshire as an example the British Government should follow, but it did not follow it. As I said to the Taoiseach yesterday, it is blocking funding to deal with legacy issues for the victims of British terrorism. The Ballymurphy families, whom the Taoiseach, the leader of Fianna Fáil and others may have met, walked out of a meeting. Therefore, the Taoiseach's plea to Mr. Brokenshire and good sense approach did not work. Mr. Brokenshire totally ignored what the Taoiseach had said to him. In his discussions with President Hollande I wonder if the Taoiseach gave such examples.

We talk about our unique relationship with the British Government. There are many unique issues of common interest to us and the people of that island. However, on this issue, the Government is in breach of a huge number of its obligations under international treaties for which it has equal responsibility. I have said to the Taoiseach many times that we need to use our influence with friends abroad to ensure the British will live up to their obligations on all of these issues.

To return to the question I raised yesterday, to which to Taoiseach has still not given me a satisfactory answer, it is of key importance that the Government recognise, accept, advocate for and promote the vote people in the North have. If the Government does not do this within the international forum, who will? Nobody else will. The Deputy First Minister will and Sinn Féin might be able to do it in a limited way. However, Deputy Enda Kenny is the Taoiseach. He has to be very clear in saying to President Hollande and others that the people of the North voted to remain within the European Union and that the Government recognises, supports and is advocating for this because it also shares that position. If the Taoiseach is not clear on the issue, as on all other issues, the British will weasel their way out of it and it will be the people of this island who will pick up the pieces afterwards.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I explained to President Hollande that the European Union had strongly supported the peace process, as a result of which the guns had been taken off the streets and communities were getting on with their business.

President Hollande understands that and Europe still supports the peace process. I did not go into detail with President Hollande about our decision to supply to the coroner's inquest whatever material existed here on Garda files arising from the Kingsmill massacre and I did not mention the Ballymurphy case or the details of any other atrocities. However, I mentioned that issue to the Secretary of State, Mr. Brokenshire, as an example of how the fresh start, particularly in respect of legacy issues, could be commenced to deal with it. If the theory behind the fresh start were to apply in practice, somebody with a real grievance, for example, a person on either side who lost a family member during the Troubles, should have access, through an independent person, to all of the information about the case. The question is whether this approach will apply because it has clearly not applied to date. I spoke to the Secretary of State in the context of the previous Government's decision to supply whatever information we have to the coroner.

I accept that the result of the vote on Brexit was that the people of Northern Ireland, by majority, voted to stay in the European Union. I will articulate this point at the discussions that take place at European Council level. I do not suppose I am expected to articulate the same point on behalf of the people of Scotland who also voted to stay in the EU.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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No.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As this is the island of Ireland and we have a land border with Northern Ireland that will become an external EU border, I will articulate that people in Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU. Given the particular relationship we have with Northern Ireland, it is important that this voice is heard. This is another reason for having an all-island conversation about where all this is headed and what implications Brexit may have along the line.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I very much welcome the Taoiseach's clear commitment to advocate for the people of the North in respect of the vote to remain in the European Union. Such advocacy will be very welcome. Having so clearly set out his commitment in this regard, we now need an all-party discussion on Brexit among the leaders and the forum must meet as soon as possible. I thank the Taoiseach for his reply.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Taoiseach wish to make any closing remarks?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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People made their decision in a vote and I respect that.