Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit last met and next plans to meet. [4130/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the all-island civic dialogue since its first plenary meeting on 2 November 2016. [4581/17]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

3. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit last met; and when it will next meet. [5816/17]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

4. To ask the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the Cabinet committee on Brexit is due to be held. [5892/17]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The all-island civic dialogue plenary meeting, which I hosted on 2 November, was an important element in the Government's preparations to meet the broad range of challenges posed by Brexit. To strengthen our engagement further the Government launched a series of sectoral all-island dialogue events. Led by Ministers, these sessions provided an invaluable opportunity to hear directly the implications of Brexit in each sector, including on an all-island basis.

To date, 11 all-island sectoral dialogues have been hosted by Ministers throughout the country, attended by almost 1,000 industry and civic society representatives from across the island. Dialogues have been held on further education and training, agrifood, education and research, transport and logistics, tourism and hospitality, schools, children and young people, jobs, enterprise and innovation, seafood, energy, and heritage, culture and rural Ireland. Three further all-island sectoral dialogues will take place over the coming weeks on pensions, social welfare rights and social insurance, human rights and the Good Friday Agreement, and on agriculture and forestry. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan and I will host the second session of the all-island civic dialogue in Dublin Castle on Friday 17 February. This will build on the sectoral consultation process and provide a further opportunity for the Government to engage with, and hear the views of, those most directly affected.

The Cabinet committee on Brexit last met on 26 January and will continue to meet regularly to deal with Brexit related issues. While a date has not been set for the next meeting, it will take place in the very near future.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the Cabinet committee on Brexit. Further to the point I raised the last time we discussed these matters, has the Taoiseach sought Ireland's participation in the Barnier oversight group? On the last occasion I suggested that because of the unique impact of Brexit on Ireland, we should seek the chairmanship of that oversight group. I understand that the position has now gone to a Belgian civil servant. Does Ireland, at the least, have membership of the oversight group? If we do, who is on that committee to represent us?

I understand the Taoiseach is bringing a memo to Government next week on the issue of the Border and Brexit. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House what exactly is envisaged in this paper and in broad terms what he might be telling the Cabinet? As I have said, the view last week of the frictionless Border as envisaged by the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom seems to be unobtainable if one listens to Mr. Lux, the former head of customs within the European Union.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will bring a memo to Government about the implications of Brexit, which will go beyond the specific issue raised by Deputy Howlin. We need to look at where our country is headed for the next five, ten and 20 years. That has implications in terms of Cabinet review of capital expenditure. There are the implications of the public consultation under way by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, about what Ireland will be like in 2040 with an extra one million people, where they will live and work, how they will be transported from place to place and what kind of Ireland we are going to have. On Deputy Howlin's specific question, I will bring a memo to Government on Tuesday. I will make a statement on Wednesday and we will have the second all-island civic dialogue on Friday. I made the point very clearly to-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Taoiseach be making a statement in the House on Wednesday?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Mr. Barnier's task force is very active. It is very well aware that one of the four priorities mentioned by him is specifically to deal with Northern Ireland and the implications of the current Border situation. I have made this perfectly clear to the British Government. Ireland is not going back to a situation where we have customs posts etc. on the hard Border. I have made the point that this would have serious consequences for us and could, without being any way alarmist about it, bring a return of some things that we do not want to ever see again in this country.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Could the Taoiseach clarify the situation regarding the Barnier oversight group?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. We have an Irish person on that. They are all public servants-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Who is on it?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I forget the name, but I will forward it to the Deputy. The Barnier task force does not make decisions, it makes recommendations, and oversight politically is with the European Council.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The sectoral engagements are a very important part of the all-island civic dialogue. Indeed, the Taoiseach used the phrase "all-island" half a dozen times in his response to an Teachta Howlin. However, as far as I know, none of the sectoral meetings has taken place in the North, which is very disappointing. The Taoiseach indicated a meeting would be held in Newry, which I communicated to a lot of people in the town. Instead, the meeting took place in my constituency of Louth. I note an upcoming meeting on human rights and the Good Friday Agreement will take place in Kildare. Why can that meeting not be held in Derry, Enniskillen or Belfast? Why has the Taoiseach taken what is clearly a policy decision not to hold meetings in the North? Will that gap be filled?

The British Government White Paper on Brexit was published last week and contains many of the platitudes we have heard from the Taoiseach and Prime Minister May. It even refers to "the strength and support of 65 million people willing us to make it [Brexit] happen". Of course, both the Tory Government and the Taoiseach's Government are ignoring the majority remain vote in the North. The White Paper also claims the devolved Administrations are fully engaged in preparations to leave the EU. Leaving aside our own position in the North, we know from the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales this is not the case. When will the Government publish a White Paper setting out its strategy and objectives for the Brexit negotiations? The Taoiseach said he will make a speech on this, but I would like to know when we will see a White Paper.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As everybody is aware, there is an election coming up in Northern Ireland. I do not want to be accused in any way of interfering with the electoral process by holding meetings throughout the North on the implications of Brexit for the Northern economy and North-South relations. That is a valid concern. There was an intention to hold a meeting in Newry, as the Deputy noted, but it was instead held in Dundalk. I assure the Deputy there is no wish not to have meetings in Northern Ireland, but I do respect there is an election process ongoing there.

I pointed out to Deputy Adams last week that at the meeting in Cardiff between the Prime Minister and the devolved Assemblies, a plan for Scotland was presented by First Minister Sturgeon and a plan for Wales was presented by First Minister Jones, but no plan was presented for Northern Ireland. The Deputy's party is in the happy position that it does not have any responsibility at the moment because the Executive has collapsed. Instead, he can blame the British Government and the Irish Government, which is what he does.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will blame the Taoiseach.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

However, the Deputy's party in Northern Ireland will presumably have to be in a position to work with whatever the people of the North decide in the election.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will have to do the same.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I hope it will be possible to put together an Executive out of the Assembly elections whose leaders will come together in the way former First Minister and deputy First Minister, Ms Foster and Mr. McGuinness, did, after some difficulties, at least to point in the same direction and have a certain set of objectives for Northern Ireland. We do not have any of that now. I hope the Deputy can confirm he will work assiduously with whatever is the result of the Northern Ireland election to have an Assembly and Executive that will quickly work together to present agreed objectives and a plan for Northern Ireland's future beyond Brexit. That is where we need to be.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have three points to make. First, people are effectively seeking to outdo each other in this House, among almost all the political parties, in claiming to be the most opposed to a hard Border. There is a constant exercise in outflanking and claims of being more concerned than anybody else about the impact of Brexit. Should we not, instead of playing politics with all of this, conclude that since nobody wants a return to a hard Border, we will simply put our foot down and say there will be no such return because we will not allow it? Ironically, it is the great internationalists in the European Union who most want to impose a hard Border. Their internationalism ends at the borders of Europe. My internationalism, on the other hand, goes way beyond the borders of Europe, whether in respect of the movement of people or goods. If the Taoiseach is serious about internationalism and democracy, he should say to his EU colleagues that we will not accept the imposition of hard borders or anything else that will impede the free movement of human beings and trade.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is over time.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will be brief.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Very brief.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Ceann Comhairle has thrown me and I have forgotten the other points I wished to make.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy can save himself for the next group of questions.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Has the Taoiseach reflected on the potential, in the context of the structure of the peace process and the Belfast Agreement, for the development of a separate strand, among several strands, to deal with the issue of North-South relations on this island? Such a proposal was put forward by a former leader of the Labour Party and Tánaiste at the time, Dick Spring. It would serve the Taoiseach and the Irish position very well given our uniquely intertwined trade and other relationships with the UK and the issues between North and South. Will the Taoiseach consult on this proposal and give it due consideration?

Will the Taoiseach confirm that the person representing the Government on the team led by Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, is a civil servant from the Republic of Ireland? Is that person a diplomat or trade expert, male or female? Will Taoiseach tell us who the person is and what previous position he or she has held in public or other service in this State?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The British White Paper on Brexit that was published last week contains no clear blueprint for EU-UK relations and includes a range of contradictory objectives. However, there is more detail in it than in anything published by our Government thus far in respect of Ireland-UK relations. In an article published yesterday on RTE's website concerning the status of Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, Tony Connelly, drawing on his impressive range of contacts in Brussels, presents a picture that should cause alarms to go off. He says there is widespread acceptance of Ireland's difficult position but also growing annoyance at our failure to make concrete proposals. One source, he states, said: "Ireland has to start proposing solutions." That is exactly what we have been saying in this House in recent months. We appreciate there is a lot of activity going on, particularly at the level of officials, but we have no evidence whatsoever that the Government has developed specific proposals for dealing with the many diverse issues arising, with the only exception, perhaps, being in regard to the common travel area. Does the Government intend to publish a White Paper setting out a coherent set of objectives for the Brexit negotiations?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To answer Deputy Martin's question first, I will set all of that out in a speech I intend to make next Wednesday.

Deputy Boyd Barrett said he wished to raise three points but only raised one.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I was flummoxed by the Ceann Comhairle.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is the best person to outdo anybody else in here when he gets the chance. I remind him that the agreement between the Irish Government and the British Government is that there be no return to a hard Border or the borders of the past, however one wants to put it. That is an agreed position between the two Governments. Now it is about making it happen. All of this is an outcome of a vote by the UK electorate.

Deputy Burton made an important point. We have the all-island sectoral discussions and the first plenary session was assisted by everybody, including most of the political parties. The second plenary will take place on 17 February. Out of that may well come a basis for talking about a specific North-South strand, as referred to by the Deputy. Our economies, North and South, are very much intertwined. The Deputy asked for details of the official who is on the Barnier committee. I do not know the name but I will supply that information to the Deputy.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Does that imply the Taoiseach has not met that person?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That person's job-----

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has not met that person. He or she is our own official on the committee.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Burton has asked her question.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That person's job is to be at the occasions where the Barnier task force is doing its work and we become aware of that. As I said, the Barnier task force will not make any decisions. That is a function of the European Council, which will oversee that politically. I can confirm to the Deputy that the Barnier task force regards the Border and Northern Ireland as one of its top priorities and is proceeding on that.

On Deputy Micheál Martin's point, a raft of detailed options have been gone through in all the sectors I have already mentioned. The point I referred to in response to questions yesterday on the Lancaster House speech made by the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, where she stated the United Kingdom has "no preconceived position" in respect of the customs union, is a particularly important issue because it will determine the nature of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union from where Ireland will continue to negotiate. We have agreed on common travel. That also includes welfare, labour and residency issues, and North-South and east- west issues. We have agreed on the fact that one does not have a traditional border there. It is how one makes these things happen that is important.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All right, we have to move on.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will set out the detail of that on Wednesday next. I will try to answer any questions arising from that.