Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is a priority for the Government to ensure that the rights of Irish citizens living in the UK will be protected through the withdrawal process of the UK from the European Union. To this end, the Government prioritised the protection of the Good Friday Agreement and the maintenance of the Common Travel Area for the withdrawal negotiations. The Government was therefore pleased at the strong affirmation in the EU's negotiating directives that the fact that Irish citizens residing in Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens will be taken into account in the Withdrawal Agreement. The EU's position also provides for the recognition of existing agreements and arrangements between Ireland and the UK, such as the Common Travel Area, which are in conformity with EU law. In this context, I further welcome and support the European Commission Task Force’s paper on Guiding Principles for Ireland/Northern Ireland in the context of the Brexit negotiating process. This paper reflects the priority Irish areas identified by the Government, including those concerning the protection of Irish citizens living in the UK.

I have also welcomed the publication by the UK of its paper on Ireland/Northern Ireland, where there is convergence on the shared objectives to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, and to maintain the Common Travel Area. However, I have underlined that the UK needs to back this up with tangible commitments that can pave the way for practical solutions.

I was happy with the progress made in the most recent round of negotiations. However, the Government is not complacent and is clear that there is substantial work to be done still in this first phase of negotiations. I am confident that our EU partners understand the priority placed by Ireland on the protection of the rights of Irish citizens, in the context of our unique circumstances, and I will continue to work with our partners and the EU Taskforce to that end.