John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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333. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will support British requests for access to the single market without reciprocal rights for freedom of movement for other EU states. [5349/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In their statements of 29 June and 15 December 2016 the Heads of State or Government of the twenty-seven other Member States of the EU, including the Taoiseach, have been clear that the four freedoms that underpin the Single Market, including the freedom of movement of people, are indivisible and that continued membership of the Single Market would include agreeing to the freedom of movement. However, the British Government, in setting out its vision of a future EU-UK relationship, has now made clear that it does not seek to be a member of or retain full access to the Single Market. It has made clear that being able to control the immigration of EU workers into the UK is a top priority. We nonetheless welcome the commitment by the British Government to seek as close and as frictionless a trade relationship with the EU as possible. This very much aligns with Ireland’s priorities.

However, the future relationship will in due course be the subject of negotiations. It is to be hoped that all concerned, including the British Government, will take a realistic and constructive approach.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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334. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's plans to organise a global Irish Brexit forum along the lines of previous global Irish forums held in Farmleigh. [5351/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Since well before the UK referendum of 23 June 2016, the Government, its diplomatic missions and state agencies have engaged with influential Irish people in the UK and elsewhere. The input and ideas gained from these contacts is of great value as we respond to the UK exit from the European Union. This includes helpful analysis and guidance on both the challenges and opportunities involved, especially in the areas of trade and investment.

A key element of the Government’s consultation work so far has been the ongoing All-island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, a process across the island of Ireland and including members of the Irish diaspora in the UK. The first plenary session of the All-island Civic Dialogue, which the Taoiseach and I hosted, took place on 2 November 2016 at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin. This event has since been supplemented by a series of All-island Civic Dialogue events at sectoral level. Drawing from the work of these sectoral meetings, a second plenary event will take place in Dublin Castle on Friday 17 February.

This consultation process allows the Government to listen to, and to capture, the views of those most directly affected by the impact of Brexit from across the island in advance of formal negotiations.