Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether Irish-British relations have been strained for the past two years; and the actions that will be taken to correct this. [52910/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While the UK’s decision to leave the EU has serious implications for Ireland, we maintain a strong and constructive bilateral relationship with the UK. We are fully committed to developing and enhancing this relationship over the coming years. In addition, in the context of the UK exit from the European Union, we will work to secure the closest possible positive relationship between the UK and the European Union.

During the Taoiseach’s visit to London in May of this year, his first official overseas visit in office, Prime Minister May spoke of her desire to establish a “close and special partnership” with Ireland after Brexit. We fully share this objective, and recognise that there can be no room for complacency in our relationship.

Numerous channels will continue to exist for Irish-British engagement and both Governments continue to make extensive and effective use of these. The Good Friday Agreement provides for important institutional cooperation on an east-West basis including through the British Irish Council (BIC).

Other channels of contact and cooperation have developed over the years as the relationship between these islands has grown closer. For example, in 2012, a process was established involving summits between the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister, supported by a Joint Work Programme managed at official level by the heads of all government departments in both London and Dublin. In addition, the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) brings together elected representatives from the Oireachtas, Westminster, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Scottish and Welsh devolved assemblies.

In addition, there have been a number of successful high-level visits in recent years that have had a very positive impact on our relationship, notably the state visit by Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011 and the reciprocal state visit by President Higgins to the UK in 2014. Most recently, President Higgins travelled to Dumfries House in Scotland at the invitation of the Prince of Wales, following the visit of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Ireland earlier this year, their third visit in as many years.

I recently welcomed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to Dublin, providing an opportunity to discuss the importance of the bilateral relationship between the UK and Ireland and how this can be maintained and strengthened after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. Regular bilateral meetings between Irish Ministers and their UK counterparts facilitate cooperation across a range of portfolios.

The Embassy of Ireland in London will remain our largest bilateral Embassy globally, and this year two additional diplomatic officers have been assigned to the Embassy. The Consulate General in Edinburgh was also assigned an additional diplomat in 2015. ‘Team Ireland’ enjoys a significant footprint in Britain with our trade, tourism, and investment agencies continuing to make a positive impact. With 600,000 Irish-born, and as many as one in four of Irish descent living in Britain, the Irish community continues to be recognised for its positive contribution to modern British society. In this context, there are over 60,000 Irish-born Directors of British companies.

It is clear that there are a wide range of arrangements in place to allow for constructive and mutually-beneficial dialogue with the UK and the continued strengthening of the British-Irish relationship. The UK has always been one of our most important bilateral relationships. It is up to us to continue to strengthen this relationship and to find areas for sustained cooperation. I believe that the structures, the warmth and goodwill, and the excellent working relationships needed to maintain a strong bilateral relationship are in place and will continue to grow and develop.