Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his views on his statement that a five-year transition period is required for Brexit; the reason five years was chosen as the appropriate limit; his further views on whether research has been conducted on the necessary period required for transition; if so, if he will publish this research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48077/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Council Guidelines of 29 April 2017 foresee that parallel discussions on the framework for a future EU-UK relationship, including possible transitional arrangements, will get under way as soon as sufficient progress has been made on the EU’s key priorities in the withdrawal process – notably citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and the Irish specific issues. At its meeting on 20 October, the European Council welcomed the progress made to date but agreed that further work is needed before it can agree that sufficient progress has been made on all three exit issues. In this regard, I note that a further round of negotiations took place on 9-10 November. The European Council also agreed to begin internal preparations among the EU27 on the EU’s priorities for the framework for the EU-UK future relationship and transitional arrangements. The aim of such discussions will be to ensure that the EU is prepared to begin these discussions with the UK as soon as a decision has been made to move into phase 2.

During these discussions among the EU27, Ireland will continue to advance its long-held position that transitional arrangements will be a vital part of the Brexit process, so as to provide certainty and continuity to citizens and businesses. Our position on this matter and the reasoning behind it was set out clearly in the Government’s comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which was published on 2 May.

The possible duration of transitional arrangements is one of the issues for consideration and future negotiation. There is for now a general view, on both sides, that any transitional arrangement should be time-bound and cannot be open-ended. At the same time, I believe that the transition should be as long as necessary to ensure a smooth landing into a future relationship agreement. How legally and practically that might be achieved would be for discussion.

While I believe that both the EU and the UK must be ambitious in seeking to conclude a future relationship agreement as soon as possible after the UK leaves the EU, I have expressed the personal view that, given the complexities involved, including the need for ratification of such an agreement, this could take as long as five years. I would note that others, such as the former UK Representative to the European Union, Sir Ivan Rogers, have expressed similar opinions. Of course I hope that less time will be needed.

The most immediate focus remains on achieving sufficient progress on the three exit issues, including on the Irish specific issues. I am hopeful that progress can be made in the negotiations in the coming weeks so that a decision can be taken by the European Council in December that discussions with the UK on future relationship issues, including on transitional arrangements, can begin.