Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with European Parliament Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt and MEPs in Strasbourg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25644/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I most recently met with the European Parliament’s Brexit Coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, in Brussels on 9 February. This meeting formed part of the Government’s continued programme of extensive engagement with EU partners to emphasise Ireland’s unique set of priorities with regard to Brexit.

The meeting with Mr. Verhofstadt provided an opportunity to take stock on key aspects of the Article 50 negotiations process and I underlined the importance of maintaining close co-operation with the European Parliament given that MEPs will be required to consent to the withdrawal agreement concluded between the EU and the UK. I also explained Ireland’s specific issues and concerns relating to Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area and the depth of our trading relationship with the UK. I was pleased to see that there is a strong acknowledgement of our unique concerns in the European Parliaments resolution on Brexit adopted by an overwhelming majority of MEPS on 5 April.

During my visit to European Parliament on 9 February, I also met with Gianni Pittella, President of the Socialist and Democrats Group, the Irish MEPs and other key MEPs, including Elmar Brock, the EPP’s coordinator on Brexit and David McAllister, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. These meetings where another opportunity to set out Ireland’s concerns regarding Brexit to who influential members of the European Parliament.

More recently, on 16-17 May, the Minister of State for European Affairs, visited the plenary session of the European Parliament to hold a series of Brexit related meetings with key MEPs, including some involved in the Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group Committee and with Guy Verhofstadt.

These meetings provided a further opportunity for Minister Murphy to underline the Irish approach to the Brexit negotiations, emphasising our key priorities, and to learn more about the Parliament’s work and preparedness for the negotiations.

It also provided an opportunity for the Minister to thank the MEPs personally for their role in the adoption of the European Parliament’s resolution on Brexit, which, as I said, contains a very strong acknowledgement of Ireland’s unique concerns on Brexit.