Written answers

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Brexit Issues

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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168. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to liaise with his EU colleagues to ensure the best possible position for Ireland, the need to remain at the heart of the European Union and use influence in a positive way in the course of future negotiations on Brexit to facilitate traditional trade with the UK without tariffs and maintain the operation of an all-island entity in terms of the Single Market and customs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3510/17]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains assured that all other EU member states remain on side in supporting Ireland's position in negotiations on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3511/17]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to his discussions with his counterparts in other EU member states, if he remains satisfied with their support in the course of the Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together.

The Government’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have been extensive. From the outset of our preparations we have been clear about our priorities, which remain: minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and influencing the future of the European Union.

A critical part of our work is ensuring that our priorities are heard and understood across Europe and are reflected in the EU’s position for the forthcoming negotiations. To that end, an extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the European Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. To date, there has been over 60 engagements at either political or senior official level.

The Taoiseach is in regular contact with EU leaders and travelled to Madrid last week for a meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister. He will visit Warsaw on 9 February for a meeting with the Polish Prime Minister. For my own part, I have spoken with each of my EU Foreign Minister counterparts in the period immediately following the result of the referendum in the UK. I have now began a second round of discussions with my EU colleagues. Most recently, I met with the Spanish Foreign Minister and I am planning to have bilateral discussions with my Luxembourg and Finnish counterpart in the weeks ahead. Minister of State Murphy is visiting Romania and Greece on 30 January to 1 February while meetings with France, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania at senior official level will take place in the coming weeks.

Engagement with the European Commission’s Task Force on Brexit and the Commission’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has also been a central part of the Government’s programme of engagement. The Government’s position on Brexit was outlined in meetings with Mr. Barnier in Dublin on 12 October. Engagement with the Commission’s Task Force at a technical level has been regular and is ongoing. There have been a number of exchanges on key aspects of the negotiations process and the Irish-specific aspects, including on the Common Travel Area and on border issues.

Feedback to date from this comprehensive engagement has been very encouraging. There is as sound understanding among EU partners of the unique circumstances which pertain on this island and a strong willingness and openness to work closely with Ireland on addressing our issues. As a clear demonstration that the Government’s efforts are working, I would note that in his first official comments, Michel Barnier, the lead negotiator for the Commission, highlighted the need to address Ireland’s issues.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which his EU counterparts are aware of the precarious position here in the geographical context post-Brexit, that Ireland's position off the western shores of Europe places it at a distinct disadvantage from a trading point of view for access to the Single Market and that compensatory measures are required as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government is under no illusion about the nature and scale of the Brexit challenge. A critical part of our work is ensuring that our particular position and priorities are understood across Europe: therefore engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is critical. This programme of intense engagement at political and official level is continuing to ensure that the EU’s approach to the forthcoming negotiations reflects our priorities. Ireland looks forward to working with our fellow Member States to deliver the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.

A central part of this programme of engagement is meetings with the European Commission. In addition to meetings with the chief negotiatior, Michel Barnier, intensive bilateral discussions to the taskforce working with him continue. In our engagement with the Taskforce we have made them aware that Brexit is already having an impact on the Irish economy, and of the disproportionate consequences posed by Brexit to the Irish economy overall in comparison to other Member States. This message has also been emphasized in more than sixty meetings at political and official level with other Member States.

In working to minimize the damage to Ireland our first priority is to contribute to the achievement of a close and mutually beneficial relationship between the EU and UK.

Second, we recognize that the economic challenge posed by Brexit, while very great in itself, also one of a number of factors to be taken into account in our overall economic policy. State agencies are actively pursuing opportunities for increased investment, business and job creation in Ireland, while as chair of the Export Trade Council, I am working to support Irish companies to expand and diversify their markets, including through support from our Missions.

The Government is also committed to pursuing a opportunities for Ireland which might arise from Brexit. Therefore, work continues on bids for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority from London to Dublin. Preparatory work on both is advancing within the relevant Government Departments.

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