Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions or consultations he has had with his counterparts in the EU concerning the impact on EU foreign and military policy in view of the UK's decision to leave the EU. [27143/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Until the shape of the UK's exit from the EU is known, the potential impact on EU foreign and security policy is difficult to predict. Given this uncertainty, and the ongoing instability in the EU neighbourhood, it is important, now more than ever, for the EU to present a shared vision of its future. The newly published EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy aims to do just that.

The Strategy sets out a vision for the EU's foreign and security policy and commits the EU to promoting peace, prosperity, democracy and the rule of law. It stresses the importance of promoting and protecting human rights, development cooperation, conflict resolution and global governance to address the root causes of the challenges, such as migration and extremism, currently facing the European Union. Strengthening the EU's peace-keeping capacity in support of the United Nations is an integral part of this effort. This will be done through the further development of the Common Security and Defence Policy as defined in the EU Treaties. The Strategy also has a positive focus on the Middle East Peace Process, disarmament, gender, the UN and importance of multilateralism more generally. The Strategy concludes that our security is best safeguarded by enhancing the current comprehensive approach, using the EU's political, diplomatic, trade, development cooperation and peacekeeping instruments in a coherent way.

At the most recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday, Ministers exchanged views on the implementation of the Strategy. I stressed the need to take forward work on each of the elements of the Strategy – including our approach to resolving conflicts and crises – in an integrated way. I also welcomed the commitment in the Strategy to continue to mainstream human rights; women, peace and security, and gender equality in EU policies. These two important elements were reflected in the Conclusions adopted by EU Foreign Ministers.

As part of the Irish Government's response to the outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership, I have spoken individually to each of my 27 EU counterparts which I am following up with a series of bilateral meetings.

Most recently, I met with the Luxembourg Foreign Minister, Jean Asselborn, in Luxembourg on Sunday prior to the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. I have also met with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and have engaged in depth on this issue with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire.

Last Wednesday, I met with Michel Barnier, the European Commission's Chief Negotiator in charge of leading the Commission Taskforce for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50. I also met with Secretary of State David Davis when he visited on 8 September.

Beyond the UK and the EU, I represented the government at the Asia-Europe summit in Mongolia and spoke with many of my counterparts there. Similar contacts took place during my visit to New York in mid-September for a United Nations programme, during which I engaged in further bilateral meetings and also gave a keynote speech at Fordham University, with a focus on Brexit, Ireland and Europe. I also did a series of interviews with the US media when in New York for the UN.

As chair of the government's Export Trade Council, I and my Department are also centrally involved in efforts across the world to support Irish trade and investment in the context of the challenges of Brexit. The Export Trade Council met most recently on Tuesday 18 October.