Results 13,181-13,200 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: I may have to respond to the Deputy in the same way as I did to Deputy Kenny by saying this is an issue for the negotiation of the programme for Government. I will pass on the issues he has raised and try to get some form of response.

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

Helen McEntee: Securing an effective UK land bridge is a priority for us and has been throughout these negotiations, given our current position and our geographical position. As the Deputy mentioned, the UK's accession to the Convention on common transit is welcome. That will allow EU goods and Irish goods to transit through the UK without undergoing many of the customs import and export formalities on...

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

Helen McEntee: I might read this document because substantial work has been done and it is important to put it on the record. It is probably one of the most visual elements of the preparations that we have done over the past while. Significant work has gone in to preparing us for a no-deal Brexit and for the fact that Brexit will mean change, even with a comprehensive future relationship. Work is...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Ceann Comhairle rightly just said, this is a matter for negotiations which are obviously ongoing.

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

Helen McEntee: I reiterate last week's comments by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as the Attorney General's advice, that this legislation is not compatible with EU law. The Tánaiste has done more work in this area than many Ministers before him. The Government must take the advice of the Attorney General, however. We have been informed that it is not compatible...

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

Helen McEntee: I wish I had that power.

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

Helen McEntee: No.

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...

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

Helen McEntee: I understand it will not be on the agenda because there is such a focus on the MFF and reaching an agreement on the Next Generation EU fund. However, Michel Barnier will brief the General Affairs Council, which I and the Tánaiste will attend next week, and there is also to be a high level conference or meeting with the UK by the end of this month, separate to any European Council...

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

Helen McEntee: To reassure the Deputy, the high-level conference that is due to take place is at European level. It will be discussed and this will allow for it to be discussed in greater detail instead of, perhaps, trying to cram everything into the normal meeting. The MFF and the Next Generation EU fund will probably take up the vast majority of the overall agenda.

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: 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: 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: 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 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...