Dáil debates

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Ceisteanna - Questions

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

4:25 pm

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Prime Minister Beata Szydło in Warsaw, Poland. [7046/17]

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Poland, his meeting with Prime Minister Beata Szydło and any other engagements he had while there. [8365/17]

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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11. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Poland and his meeting with the Polish Prime Minister. [8459/17]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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12. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Prime Minister Beata Szydło of Poland. [8524/17]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 12, inclusive, together.

I had a very fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Szydło in Warsaw on Thursday, 9 February, which covered a range of European, global and bilateral issues, with Brexit top of the agenda.

I outlined to the Prime Minister Ireland’s concerns about the impact of Brexit on our economy, Northern Ireland, the common travel area and the future of the EU.

Poland shares many of our concerns on Brexit. The UK is its second largest export market after Germany. We agreed that the EU 27 should speak strongly with one voice and we share the hope that the future EU-UK relationship will be as close and as positive as possible post-Brexit. The issue of rights of EU citizens, including Poles, living in the UK is a very important one.

We agreed on the need for the reciprocal rights issue to be addressed early in Brexit negotiations while also defending the indivisibility of the four freedoms, that is, free movement of people, goods, capital and services.

Mrs. Szydło and I exchanged views on key issues on the European agenda. In particular we discussed the future of Europe and the preparations for the forthcoming summit meeting in Rome. We agreed that the EU will remain an indispensable source of stability and core democratic values in the world. Our focus should be on delivering concrete results of importance to the lives of our citizens, including jobs, growth, and investment. We discussed the importance of completing the Single Market and the digital single market, of which both countries are strong advocates, and which bring huge benefits in terms of jobs and growth to our citizens. We also discussed the external challenges facing the EU in a changed global landscape, in particular Russia-EU relations and the escalating conflict in Ukraine. We agreed on the need to maintain sanctions against Russia until the Minsk agreements are fully implemented.

We discussed the excellent bilateral relations between our countries. Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, ties between our two countries have grown very strong, thanks to the Polish community of approximately 150,000 people living in Ireland and the resulting deep personal, cultural, and economic ties that connect us. Trade between our two countries is growing at a rate of over 15% a year. I thanked the Prime Minister for the very positive contribution of Polish people living here to Irish society.

Prime Minister Szydło raised the teaching of Polish in Irish schools and the good work under way by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, in this regard. The forthcoming foreign languages in education strategy from the Department of Education and Skills will contain a number of projects to support children who speak Polish in the home. We agreed that our Ministers with responsibility for education would engage on this matter, and I invited the Prime Minister to send her Minister for Education to Ireland to discuss it with the Minister, Deputy Bruton.

I invited PM Szydło to visit Ireland next year and she accepted my invitation.

During my visit to Warsaw I had the opportunity to observe the great work under way by our agencies, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, and by our embassy in supporting trade and promoting Ireland. I officially opened the new Polish office of Bord Bia, which will serve the central and eastern European market and which demonstrates ongoing efforts to diversify Irish food exports, especially in the context of Brexit. I spoke at the Irish-Polish Innovation Forum organised by Enterprise Ireland, at which it was clear that there is excellent collaboration between Irish and Polish start-ups. Finally, I had the opportunity to meet with business people and the Irish community at an embassy event.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply. The Taoiseach will be aware that the so-called Visegrád Group of countries - Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia - have announced that they will veto any Brexit deal that does not accommodate their citizens currently living in the United Kingdom. Did the Taoiseach have any discussion with the Polish Prime Minister about that assertion? Did he make any commitments relating to that demand? What is the Taoiseach's view of the Polish Prime Minister's understanding of the unique Irish position? Is there a comprehension of how uniquely the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union will impact on us? Finally, with regard to the potential of Polish citizens finding it more comfortable to live in a European Union country after Brexit, was there any discussion about the possible migration of Polish citizens currently in the United Kingdom to Ireland post-Brexit?

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to raise three matters. The Taoiseach quite correctly stresses the importance of the peace process when he is discussing the implications of Brexit with our European partners. In the context of the peace process, the High Court in Belfast dismissed the appeal of Geraldine Finucane earlier today. That was done on the basis that Ministers are entitled to depart from the policies of previous governments. I bring this to the Taoiseach's attention because the decision has serious implications far beyond the case of Pat Finucane. It is one to which he should give his attention.

The second matter is the Taoiseach's refusal - and he only became clear about this in recent times - to support the proposition that the North be afforded a special designated status in the European Union. The decision by Fine Gael to vote against the Sinn Féin-Fianna Fáil motion on Brexit last week was a grave mistake and exposes the deep flaw at the heart of the Government's approach. Will the Taoiseach explain the rationale for that?

Third, when I asked the Taoiseach recently whether there was contingency planning for customs posts along the Border he said he hoped nobody was looking for sites along the Border and that he did not know anything about it. However, when Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance about this, the Minister said there was such contingency planning. There is much talk about it being a friction-free soft Border yet, at the same time, there is contingency planning and officials are looking at where customs posts will be erected. That is causing huge concern from Louth to Donegal and Derry. Will the Taoiseach clarify that? In addition, and I have asked this question a number of times but the Taoiseach has not given an answer, will he publish a White Paper on Brexit? If not, he should tell the House he does not intend to do it. The Taoiseach should not ignore the question.

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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The Taoiseach mentioned the wide range of issues he discussed with the Polish Prime Minister. Did he have time to discuss an issue that is common to both of their hearts, namely, the fact that Poland and Ireland have the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe? Both the Taoiseach and the Polish Prime Minister are faced with a growing demand for change on this issue. Did they have any tips to give each other? For example, there was a strike by women and men in Poland due to an attack that was taking place on the very limited abortion rights in Poland. The Polish Government wanted to introduce an eighth amendment, like the Taoiseach's beloved amendment, but it was forced back by a massive movement. International Women's Day is on 8 March, two weeks hence. There have been calls for a global women's strike on that day. We saw the marches that took place following the election of President Trump, in which 4 million people around the world took part. The Strike 4 Repeal will be held in Dublin and the march for repeal, organised by the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, will take place at 5.30 p.m. on International Women's Day. The Bus 4 Repeal, organised by Reproductive rights against Oppression, Sexism & Austerity, ROSA, will be travelling the country to organise for those events and to bring news and information for women who are barred from leaving this country, as they do not have the means and the wherewithal to access abortion, about abortion pills which are perfectly safe.

This is one issue the Taoiseach did not mention. This might be his last month in office, although I do not know what is happening in Fine Gael-----

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Nor should the Deputy.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Unless she is on the WhatsApp.

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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No, I am not on the WhatsApp. Will the Taoiseach see fit to recognise that this is a serious issue, not a joke? Thousands of young people in particular will not tolerate delays on this any longer. Were there any tips from Poland about listening to the popular movement for change?

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Was there any discussion about the matter of child benefit being paid in respect of children of Polish workers who are here in Ireland but whose children are living in Poland? This is an area that the Commission has not wished to change, but it was offered as a reform to David Cameron before the Brexit referendum. Mrs. Merkel has now indicated that she wishes to proceed with a German reform.

In the context of Poland being part of the so-called Visegrad Group, did the Taoiseach discuss the idea of there being different clubs in the European Union post Brexit, for example, the original core founding countries in a high-speed club or inner circle and then other countries like the Visegrad countries which are vehemently not federalist and which are opposed to any further extensive integration? Were either of those two issues discussed with the Polish Prime Minister?

4:35 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Polish Government has taken an aggressive attitude towards the reappointment of Donald Tusk as President of the European Council. He has been a very good President so far. He has shown important moral leadership, helped smaller and medium-sized countries to have a reasonable voice and ensured they are heard. Did the Taoiseach discuss that matter in Warsaw when he was there? Will he confirm that Ireland is supporting the reappointment of Donald Tusk in this critical position?

Reports from the meeting suggest that Poland was not particularly supportive of the Irish position on the common travel area which was outlined to the Polish Prime Minister. They are concerned about the implications of restricted movement on Polish citizens. Will the Taoiseach confirm that he stated Ireland's absolute commitment to maintaining freedom of movement post Brexit and that we would not allow the common travel area to cause new restrictions on travel between here and other EU member states? We could become trapped between the UK and others in terms of this issue which both might try to exploit to maintain pressure. Has the Taoiseach discussed that issue with the negotiating team?

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There are many issues to deal with in a short time. The Polish Prime Minister did raise the question of the rights of Polish citizens who have acquired benefits in Britain since Poland joined. I pointed out that in our case, with a common travel area since 1922, our citizens have acquired rights over all of those years which are far more traditional and extensive than what applied in the case of other countries where people have come to Britain since they joined the European Union. I did say that we would maintain our common travel area with Britain and we would maintain the opportunity of freedom of travel as one of the four freedoms in the Single Market.

I did not discuss abortion with the Polish Prime Minister, nor did we share any tips, nor indeed should any amendment be called one's beloved amendment. All amendments to the Constitution belong to the people, as well the Deputy is aware.

The question that Deputy Burton raised about the children of Polish workers who work here and who live in Poland was not discussed, but we did discuss the part played by Polish citizens here in integrating with Irish people and the fact that Polish is now the second most common language spoken in the country. For that reason I invited the Prime Minister herself to come to Ireland. I also extended an invitation to her Minister for Education to come and talk to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is drafting changes for the curriculum in respect of languages and a number of issues that can be raised about Polish being part of our curriculum here where Polish is spoken in homes in Ireland.

We will publish a paper in respect of Brexit. I waited until the forum in Dublin Castle last weekend was completed. I think it was valuable, and while Deputy Adams made a particular type of contribution, I was glad to see him there with the leader of the Sinn Fein Party in Northern Ireland. I take the Deputy's point about the Finucane case. I have asked for a report of the judgment of that. If the Fresh Start agreement is anything to go by, that holds the potential of dealing with this, but the testing is the proof, and I will study the judgment.

With respect to the special status, we have special circumstances, we have a special arrangement, a special peace process, special PEACE funds and special INTERREG funds. These all equate to special status for Northern Ireland. As I said in the Mansion House, across the spectrum there is an opportunity to have all-island solutions in a number of areas. I do not want to single out any one issue, but the issues of water, electricity and animal health all cross borders without physical restriction. There is an opportunity to look at a number of those areas where an all-island solution can be achieved. The real issue here is what the issue is going to be like between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and if Britain wants to have as close a relationship with the EU as possible, that will benefit us and we support that. I made the point to Commissioner Timmermans this morning that I do not think that it is feasible to proceed on the basis of the divorce discussions without having parallel discussions about the reality of the future framework and the future relationship between the United Kingdom and Europe.