Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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275. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the bilateral meetings he had with his European counterparts outside of European Council 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 were discussed, including the name of each European ministerial counterpart, the meeting location and the date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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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 the Deputy is aware one of the main avenues available for me to meet my European counterparts is through the EU Councils and Informal Councils, of which I have attended five since the Brexit vote. At these meetings I ensure that I hold a number of discussions on the margins of these meetings with my European Counterparts to stress the unique challenges faced by Ireland in the wake of the Brexit vote.

At the most recent EU TTE (Energy) Council on 5 December 2016 I held bilateral discussions with the representatives of Malta, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, and Cyprus on the subject of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by Ireland. I also had a bilateral with Commissioner Canete on the same topic.

Other meetings where I have discussed Brexit and its impact on Ireland include the North South Ministerial Council, meetings of the OECD, and United Nations meetings.

I have also met with:

- Andrus Ansip, Vice President of the European Commission, 8 September 2016 in Government Buildings

- Simon Hamilton, Minister for the Economy, Northern Ireland Executive, 18 November 2016, on the margins of the North South Ministerial Council.

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.