Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the working paper on Article 50 relating to dialogue on Ireland and Northern Ireland circulated on 8 November 2017. [49413/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not going to comment on the detail of internal EU working documents tabled in Brussels. However, both the EU and Ireland have been clear about the current state of play on negotiations on the priority exit issues, including the Irish issues.

There is nothing new emerging about EU positions on Ireland and Northern Ireland; the principles set out in the EU Guidelines for the negotiations and subsequent papers strongly acknowledge Ireland’s concerns and priorities.

The Government has also been consistent in what we require.

At this point in the negotiations, it is entirely appropriate that the EU would seek further clarity on UK positions and call on the UK to provide strong political assurances and tangible commitments ahead of any decision on whether sufficient progress has been achieved on the Irish specific issues that recognize the unique situation on the island of Ireland, and that flexible and imaginative solutions will be required.

Ireland is working closely with the Commission Task Force to advance progress on Irish issues in the negotiations with the UK. The EU is united in the negotiations and fully behind the excellent work being done by its Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, and his team.