Results 13,201-13,220 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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: 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: Yes.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: I am pleased to update the House this afternoon. It is no secret that progress in the future partnership negotiations has been disappointing. The fourth round, which finished last Friday, did not yield any significant progress. The EU's approach to the talks is based on our published mandate and that mandate is underpinned by the political declaration agreed by the EU and the UK last...

Brexit: Statements (7 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank all the Deputies for their contributions and questions. Very clearly, Brexit remains a key issue for this Government and House, even as we face the challenges of Covid-19. In responding to Brexit, the Government has faced this tough task with welcome support from this House on priority issues that have been at the centre of our strategy. The solidarity and support shown by all...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: I refer to my earlier response that this is still our position. Our view is that now more than ever we have additional areas of concern we need to respond to. Our initial view was always that, while the EU is getting smaller, it should not have a smaller budget because our challenges are expanding. The coronavirus has added to that so our view remains the same. We should increase our...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: The initial response to the overall package was disappointing in that our farming community expected more but this is only an initial response. The dairy sector, in particular, was welcoming and responsive to this support. What we have done, particularly the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, is to lead the charge in a response to the Commissioner to seek...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am not sure about the percentage of our overall spend but it is minuscule. In particular, if one looks at our membership PESCO, we are involved in programmes such as maritime surveillance and peacekeeping. We are not in any way moving towards, as is often suggested, an EU army. When one looks at our triple lock system, our neutrality, in the same way as for other member states which have...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: My understanding is that all proposals are being looked at, including the Spanish proposal. It is something our finance ministers are looking at. The recovery fund was to be outlined today but that has been postponed, perhaps until next week. As the Taoiseach said earlier, we support putting a mechanism in place, whether it is a mixture of loans or of grants, that is timely, that will...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: On the Deputy's general comment, while everyone accepts that the initial EU response was not as quick as we would have liked, one of the challenges in responding to Covid-19 is that we are facing a health crisis. What happens in our health system is different from that of Germany, France or Greece. It is a national competency, and trying to respond collectively to the crisis was difficult....

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: Unfortunately, I am not able to give the Deputy a detailed response on that. Overall, the judgment of the court is primarily a matter for consideration by the German Government, the Bundestag and the Deutsche Bundesbank. Obviously, the institutions will have to respond to it and we will, perhaps, be able to discuss it in further detail when they do. I understand that other member states...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: Much of that question is for the Minister for Finance and I do not have the level of detail for the Deputy. Whether it is at a national level or throughout the EU we are trying to ensure, through the EU funds being provided, that we provide cheap funding or support to our citizens and to our businesses. The details on the three safety nets that have been set out are still being worked...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: I cannot be confident about anything at the moment because it is still under consideration. We have consistently said - and the Taoiseach repeated it at the European Council last week - that Ireland is willing to pay more when it comes to the next MFF. We said this before the Covid-19 virus hit. Now more than ever it is crucial given the additional challenges we are facing. What has also...

European Council Meeting: Statements (6 May 2020)

Helen McEntee: A number of issues were raised. I have a final statement which I will read after the questions.