Written answers
Thursday, 19 January 2017
Department of Education and Skills
Brexit Issues
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the bilateral meetings he has had with his EU counterparts outside of Council of Europe meetings, since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place, in which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each EU Government ministerial counterpart, the meeting location and the date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2516/17]
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
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.
The Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton TD has met the following European government ministerial counterparts for discussions on Brexit since the UK Referendum to leave the EU:
| Name of Counterpart | Meeting Location | Date of Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Weir MLA (Minister for Education, Northern Ireland) | Dublin Castle (North South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting) | 4th July 2016 |
| Peter Weir MLA (Minister for Education, Northern Ireland) | Dublin Castle (Bi-lateral Meeting) | 4th July 2016 |
| Peter Weir MLA (Minister for Education, Northern Ireland) | Armagh (North South Ministerial Council Education Sectoral Meeting) | 21st September 2016 |
| Witold Waszczykowski (Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Dail Eireann | 24th November 2016 |
| Commissioner Tibor Navracsics (EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports) | Brussels | 21 November 2016 |
| Commissioner Phil Hogan (EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development) | Brussels | 21 November 2016 |
| Minister Everist Bartolo (Minister for Education and Employment, Malta) | Brussels | 21 November 2016 |
| Andrew McDowell (Vice President - European Investment Bank) | Government Buildings | 9 December 2016 |
I intend to meet my UK Ministerial colleague at the earliest opportunity in the coming weeks and before the UK makes its application to leave the EU to discuss common education and research issues.
The Taoiseach and Ministers will continue to meet and engage with their EU counterparts over 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.
In line with the agreement at EU level, there have been and will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered.
No comments