Written answers

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Department of An Taoiseach

Official Engagements

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Taoiseach the position regarding his conversation with the UK Prime Minster Ms Theresa May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/16]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Taoiseach if he has formally written to or asked the First Minister, Arlene Foster, about an all-island inquiry into Project Eagle. [26794/16]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Taoiseach the formal contacts by him with the UK Prime Minister and political leaders in Scotland and Northern Ireland since 31 July 2016 concerning the issue of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/16]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Taoiseach if he plans to discuss the Dublin-Monaghan bombings with the Prime Minister of the UK. [27021/16]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 69, 72 and 78 together.

I met with Prime Minister May on 26 July at which we agreed to work together to build on the continuing strength and closeness of the UK/Ireland relationship.

We discussed the good progress that our two Governments have made in recent years following on from the Joint Statement “British Irish relations – the next decade" which was agreed in 2012. Prime Minister May affirmed the UK Government's commitment to this comprehensive programme of engagement between our two administrations. This will allow us to continue to work together on a range of issues that are of benefit to all the people of Britain and Ireland such as jobs, trade, tourism and energy as part of our Joint Ireland/UK Work Programme.

The meeting also gave us the opportunity to discuss developments in Northern Ireland. We reiterated the importance of the partnership between our two Governments in supporting the peace process and in contributing to stability and continued progress in Northern Ireland. We are both committed to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements - St Andrews and Fresh Start - and will continue to work in partnership for a prosperous and secure Northern Ireland.

We also discussed the many issues that arise in the context of the outcome of the recent UK referendum on EU membership. While it is not the outcome that we in Ireland wanted, we fully respect the democratic vote of the people of the United Kingdom. We will work with the Prime Minister and all our partners in the EU and in the Northern Ireland Executive to make sure we achieve the best possible outcome in forthcoming negotiations.

We agreed that we would work together to ensure that the benefits of the peace process are preserved in any new arrangements which might emerge regarding the United Kingdom's future relationship with the EU. In particular, we both recognised that Ireland is the only EU Member State that shares a land border with the UK. We are in agreement that we don't wish to see any return to the borders of the past on the island of Ireland.

The meeting also gave us the opportunity to have a broader discussion on the common issues of concern in the context of the referendum result such as our close trading relationship and the benefits of the Common Travel Area. Both the Irish and British Government value the Common Travel Area and will work to keep this in place to the greatest extent possible as part of future arrangements. There is no desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish sea to live, work and travel freely across these islands.It will be a key issue for Ireland in the context of negotiating new terms and conditions for the EU’s relationship with the UK.

I discussed the Dublin/Monaghan Bombings and other legacy cases with Prime Minister May when I met her in July and highlighted to her the importance of dealing with legacy issues and hoped there could be progress on the overall arrangements for dealing with the past.

I last met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and Scotland's First Minister at the Extraordinary meeting of the British Irish Council on 22 July which was called specifically to discuss the BREXIT issue.

On 15 September 2016, I met Opposition party leaders with a view to seeking agreement on the issues of public concern that require further investigation in relation to NAMA's sale of Project Eagle and the most appropriate nature and terms of reference for such an investigation.

On 23 September 2016 I received a number of submissions in the matter and these are currently being considered.

The Government’s objective is to ensure that all matters of public concern are addressed in a speedy and effective manner.

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