Results 2,221-2,240 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his questions and his brevity. Regarding legislation, I confirm that drafting is being done on a new Brexit omnibus Bill. Departments have highlighted that there will be a need to introduce or renew some legislation come 1 January next year, particularly if there is no deal. That is why that has started. We also brought a memorandum to the Cabinet two weeks ago,...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The question is whether we are ready. I assure the Deputy we are doing everything to try to be ready to protect and work with businesses by putting supports in place to assist them through their own processes and by making sure we have the right infrastructure at our ports and airports and that the right officials are in place, as well as the legislation. We also are working with our...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. I will outline the Irish and EU approach to negotiations. It is clear that if we are to make progress on an overall trade deal, progress must be made on fisheries. It is an extremely important issue for us, other member states and the chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, who was a fisheries minister and has made every effort to engage with our sectors, industries and...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: We have not made any secret of the fact that we would welcome an extension but this is something that needs to be agreed between the EU and the UK. As recently as today, I am informed that having looked at any other possible avenues, there is no way to extend it beyond 30 June. It has to be done as set out through the withdrawal agreement. Time is certainly ticking and we are not led to...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The EU and the Commission are not making any preparations for the Border because we have a legally binding international treaty in place. We expect the UK to fulfil its obligations. We spent two and a half, if not three, years negotiating an agreement which ensures that we do not have to reintroduce any infrastructure at the Border. This means we can protect the Good Friday Agreement and...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy that in the four years since the Brexit vote, we have not countenanced, nor will we ever countenance, the reintroduction of a Border on this island. That is why we fought so hard to ensure the Northern Ireland protocol was agreed. It has been agreed and it is an international peace treaty. I would like to think the UK would not turn its back on an international peace...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: Yes.

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. First, in response to the Deputy's question about the additional offices, maybe that is something I could come back to him on. As Members will be aware, our passport offices have been closed except for emergency passports that are bring processed at the moment. As of this week, our online passport facility has been opened. There is a backlog that the officials are...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have been optimistic throughout the Brexit negotiations and it is important that we remain optimistic. There is a huge volume of work to be done, and it is very disappointing that after four rounds of negotiations, we seem to have made little progress. We need to remain focused. As an EU 27, we need to remain strong with our mandate and that which has been given to Michel Barnier, and...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The short answer is "Yes, it has." At every stage where it was possible, I have highlighted the need, not just in a European recovery fund but also in the next MFF for flexibility and room to be able to respond to the challenge of Brexit. A few other member states have also raised the matter consistently. There should be enough room within not just the €1.1 trillion that has been...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: The position of the EU, including Ireland, has always been clear. Environmental issues in the fight against climate change should play an important role in the negotiations. I refer in particular to how we are to address the need for the level playing field. It has to be central to any future partnership agreement. This is something all member states have said time and again. The...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I presume I can do so. The paper has been presented to our colleagues in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany so I assume we can do that.

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am sure there will be no problem. With respect to my view on where we are and saying I am optimistic, I am optimistic an agreement can be reached by the end of the year but I am not optimistic that it can be as close and comprehensive as we would like it to be. That is based on the fact that after four rounds of negotiations, little progress has been made. We must be realistic. The EU...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: That is what was initially proposed but I anticipate that the Taoiseach will raise this issue at the European Council next week.

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am not sure of the exact breakdown of it but I suppose that detail will be available before next week and before the Taoiseach goes to the European Council. In discussions with my European colleagues I have flagged our concern about the allocation method and the fact that it is clearly a screenshot of a much healthier looking economy or environment than where we are now. As I said, we...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: My understanding is that we are not at that stage but the process has started. As soon as we can relay that information, we will do so.

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: While I am not saying it is impossible, I am not as optimistic that we will secure the close and comprehensive deal we would like. I would not say that the UK is backtracking on what has been agreed but we have not seen enough information thus far to know that the protocol can be fully implemented. I certainly welcome the fact that the UK has published a paper and that it has said that...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: What was agreed in respect of the Northern Ireland protocol has been set out very clearly. It is not open to reinterpretation or change; it is there to be implemented. The protocol goes into great detail as to what needs to be done and as to how it can be implemented to ensure that not only the integrity of the Single Market is protected, but also relations on this island. The UK has...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: All I can do is repeat that the Commission is very clear as to what needs to be implemented. As to any attempt, if that is what it is, I am not saying that is what it is. The UK has said it is committed to implementing the Northern Ireland protocol in full. We are very clear how that can be done and what needs to be done to do that. This is a document produced by the UK. It is not the...