Results 13,281-13,300 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Helen McEntee: We would prefer to recognise the state of Palestine as part of a two-state solution. This is something the Tánaiste, in particular, has worked hard on over the past number of years. The issue of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 has been raised a number of times but the position of the Attorney General has not changed. It goes beyond what any...

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

Helen McEntee: I wish first to reaffirm our commitment to trying to support business across the island and making sure that we mitigate and minimise the impacts of Brexit and Covid. These events are all coming at a very inopportune time. We have always tried to engage with the representative groups of the sectors most impacted in Northern Ireland when it came to our preparedness, but obviously there is a...

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

Helen McEntee: It all very much depends on what happens and whether there are tariffs. We know the UK is leaving the customs union so there will obviously be changes there. That is why we have tried to emphasise to business that irrespective of what outcome there is, there are going to be changes and businesses need to be prepared. On Mercosur, we are going through a process. Each individual member...

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

Helen McEntee: On the question of fisheries, there has never been any leaving of the fold and fisheries is very much a part of the overall negotiations and cannot, and will not, be separated from them. Michel Barnier made that very clear in a statement he made in advance of the most recent round of negotiations which started last week.

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

Helen McEntee: The position is clear. Mr. Barnier reiterated in advance of the most recent negotiations that he has a clear mandate from the 27 member states that fisheries cannot be separated from the overall negotiations and an overall agreement cannot be reached without an agreement on fisheries. That position was made clear by Mr. Barnier and the 27 ministers who represent the industry. On the...

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

Helen McEntee: I support Deputy Healy-Rae's statement that the farming community has been the backbone of many of our rural communities for many years. We are an exporting country. We export approximately 90% of what we produce, including high-quality food. It is important that we continue in that vein. We all have ambitions when it comes to achieving and reaching climate change targets, none more so...

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

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. As has been outlined by many people today, several sectors are most likely to be hardest hit by Brexit and are already feeling the implications of Brexit and the uncertainty that surrounds it. The farming community is probably the most likely to be hardest hit, particularly if there is no trade deal and there is an imposition of tariffs and additional costs and...

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.