Written answers

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Department of An Taoiseach

Brexit Issues

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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80. To ask the Taoiseach the bilateral meetings he has had with foreign Heads of Government outside of European summit meetings since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place at which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland as a consequence were discussed (details supplied), in tabular form. [2165/17]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. This engagement is being intensified in 2017. As requested, the Taoiseach's meetings with other heads of Government since the UK referendum are set out in the following table.

HOSGDateVenue
PM Rajoy, Spain12 January 2017Madrid
PM Muscat, Malta28 November 2016Dublin
President Anastasiades, Cyprus18 October 2016Dublin
PM May, UK26 July 2016London
President Hollande, France21 July 2016Dublin
Chancellor Merkel, Germany12 July 2016Berlin

Although not a head of Government, it is worth noting that the Taoiseach met with Donald Tusk, in his capacity as President of the European Council, on 7 September. The Taoiseach also met the head of the Commission negotiating team, Michel Barnier, in Dublin on 12 October.

The Taoiseach and Ministers will continue to meet and engage with their EU counterparts over the coming weeks to emphasise Ireland’s concerns and to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence.

This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level. The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for the Irish economy and will remain fully engaged on this aspect as the negotiations proceed. An important part of our preparations for the Brexit negotiations is ensuring that our particular concerns are heard and understood across Europe, and engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is therefore critical.

Of course, Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.

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