Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains satisfied that ongoing discussions on Brexit continue to have full regard for Ireland's unique position within the EU and adjoining a neighbouring part of the island of Ireland which is about to leave the European Union; if it continues to be recognised that the Good Friday Agreement remains a commitment by the EU, the Irish and British governments, the people of Northern Ireland and the international nature of the agreement involving the US and the aforementioned countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40081/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since taking up office, engagement on Brexit with EU partners has been a central element of my work. This approach has yielded clear results in ensuring that Ireland’s unique issues and concerns have been fully understood by our EU27 partners and have been reflected in the EU’s negotiating position. Our EU partners are fully aware of 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 Monday 4 September, I met with Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator on Brexit, and his team. During our discussion, I thanked Mr. Barnier for pursuing Ireland’s unique interests in the Brexit negotiations and for the high level of engagement that Ireland enjoys with his team. We agreed that, while good progress was made in the last round of negotiations on the Common Travel Area, more detailed work is required on protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the peace process, including in regard to North South cooperation and to avoiding a hard border, as well as other issues such as protecting the EU rights of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. Overall, I welcomed the indications that EU and UK objectives on the Irish issues are converging but noted that the UK needs to back this up with tangible commitments that can pave the way for practical solutions. Following this meeting, on 7 September, the European Commission Taskforce published a paper on “Guiding Principles for the Dialogue on Ireland/Northern Ireland”, building on the European Council Guidelines agreed earlier this year. This paper reflects the priority Irish issues identified by the Government, including the complex issue of the border, and makes it clear that it is the UK’s responsibility to propose workable solutions in this regard.

In all of my engagements, I have laid particular emphasis on Ireland’s objective of protecting the gains of the peace process and avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland. I have been clear on the unique nature of the circumstances on the island of Ireland and this point has been echoed by Mr Barnier. I am acutely aware of the potential impact of Brexit on the border region and on the people there. In emphasising the need for imaginative and flexible political solutions for the island of Ireland, I have been equally clear that we will only pursue solutions that are compatible with our aim of protecting the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. I will continue to deliver this message in my engagements in the coming weeks and months.

The Good Friday Agreement itself is an international agreement conducted between the UK and Ireland which is registered with the UN. Successive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the peace process over the last three decades. The Government look forward to continued engagement by the current US Administration in Northern Ireland, including that of the US State Department.