Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for a White Paper on the challenges that will have to be addressed before a referendum on a united Ireland is held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30898/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements is a priority for my Department and indeed the Government as a whole. In this context, we are of course also guided by the aspiration contained in Article 3 of the Constitution as amended by the people in 1998.

The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland is a fundamental part of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The trigger for a referendum in this jurisdiction is connected with the calling of a border poll, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, in Northern Ireland. This occurs when the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland considers it likely that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland. At present, the Government does not believe it likely that such a border poll in Northern Ireland in the near future would result in constitutional change. In these circumstances such a poll might only increase uncertainty and division at an already difficult and sensitive time.

In the absence of any prospect of a referendum in the near future, the Government has no immediate plans for a white paper on this issue. My immediate priority is to secure the future of the devolved power-sharing institutions, which are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. I am currently representing the Government at the ongoing talks process in Belfast to support the formation of an Executive and the implementation of commitments from previous agreements.

In the event of a future referendum within the consent provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government would of course make all necessary preparations in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and the principles and procedures of the Agreement.

There are of course aspects of this constitutional issue which relate to my Department’s ongoing work. In the context of Brexit, the Government has made clear its determination to ensure respect for all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, including those relating to a possible change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland, regardless of the UK’s status within the EU.

As a result of intensive political and diplomatic engagement by the Government, our EU partners are fully aware and supportive of the importance of respecting the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and protecting the gains of the peace process. On 29 April, the European Council adopted Guidelines for the EU-UK negotiations which include a strong acknowledgment of the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland and explicitly recognize the importance of preserving the achievements, benefits and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. This is further strengthened by the statement agreed by the European Council on the same day, acknowledging that the Good Friday Agreement provides for an agreed mechanism whereby a united Ireland may be brought about and that, in accordance with international law, the entire territory of such a united Ireland would thus be part of the European Union.