Written answers

Thursday, 29 June 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Brexit Negotiations

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and his Department continue to emphasise Ireland's position as a committed member to the European project in the context of discussions arising from Brexit and with particular reference to ensuring that Ireland's interests, North and South, remain to the fore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30681/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with special responsibility for Brexit, coincided with an important milestone in the Brexit process, coming shortly before the formal launch of the Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK on 19 June.

At the June General Affairs Council (Art. 50), EU27 Ministers received a short update from Michel Barnier on the launch of the negotiations in advance of his briefing of the EU27 Heads of State and Government at the European Council (Art. 50). I also had the opportunity to speak with Mr Barnier in the margins, which provided a timely opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s key priorities and concerns.

Overall, the EU has set out its negotiating position clearly. This includes strong and explicit acknowledgment of the need to address the issues arising from Ireland's unique situation as a negotiating priority. We are grateful for the support and understanding of the EU institutions and of our partners. At both political and official level we continue to work intensively to ensure that Ireland-specific issues are successfully resolved in the EU-UK negotiations.

The importance of unity within the EU 27 has been strongly stated on many occasions, most recently at last week’s meeting of the European Council. We are absolutely committed to playing our part in ensuring a united approach.

We have also made clear to EU partners, to third countries, and to business and civil society, that Ireland’s place is at the heart of the European Union. The Irish people are strongly committed to EU membership – in the most recent poll, 88% agreed that Ireland should remain a part of the EU. Our economic, social and political interests are best served by our continued membership of the European Union.

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