Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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353. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European colleagues continue to engage with their colleagues in the UK with a view to addressing any concerns that might exist in the event of a British exit from the European Union; if the full implications for Britain, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the European Union have been fully examined and steps taken to address any issues emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32091/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As part of an intensive programme of political engagement across the EU as a whole, including contacts with all 28 member state foreign ministers and with the EU institutions, I have been engaging with a number of ministers from the UK government.

I met with Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis MP, last month in Dublin and I was joined in this meeting by the Tánaiste and by Minister of State Dara Murphy. I have also met with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on a number of occasions and have been meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. On all occasions, I and my ministerial colleagues have emphasised Ireland's key priorities around Northern Ireland, the border arrangements, the Common Travel area and the importance of economic, trade and people-to-people relations. I have also emphasised Ireland's ongoing commitment to a strong EU characterised by partnership, peace and prosperity.

These contacts form part of a pattern of engagement with UK and EU counterparts across government, led by the Taoiseach. In terms of his own engagement with the UK government, the Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister May shortly after she took office and subsequently met with her; their most recent meeting was at last week's European Council meeting in Brussels.

The Government's preparations for the possibility of the UK leaving the EU have been ongoing for over a year now. We engaged in extensive contingency planning in advance and continue to deepen and develop our analysis as the situation evolves. Our planning ahead of the negotiations – both for the risks and opportunities for Ireland – will intensify in the coming weeks at both political and official level. The negotiations will be complex and multi-layered, and to ensure an effective whole-of-Government response to the challenges ahead, we have developed specific structures for Brexit including a new Cabinet Committee dedicated to Brexit and a strengthened EU function in my own department, among other measures.