Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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79. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on his meeting with the UK Chancellor, Philip Hammond, on 31 August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44544/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I met with Chancellor Philip Hammond during his recent visit to Dublin on 31 August 2017. I was glad to have the opportunity to continue our bilateral discussions, following on from my meeting with him on 14 July in London. This is, of course, in addition to our regular contacts at monthly meetings of EU Finance Ministers at ECOFIN.

The meeting provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on the economic outlook and the ongoing cooperation between the UK Treasury and the Department of Finance on a range of economic and financial issues which are of relevance to both countries.

It also provided an opportunity to discuss the generality of Brexit-related issues. In this regard, I recalled that the Irish Government fully respects the unity of the EU27 during negotiations and reiterated to the Chancellor the importance our Government attaches to doing everything possible to make progress in the Brexit negotiations.