Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to ensure that Ireland's position as a member of the EU is not diminished in the Brexit-related discussions or EU generated review of taxation or other structural reviews with particular reference to phase 2 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53489/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The second phase of the Article 50 negotiations will enable discussions to get underway between the EU and the UK on transitional arrangements and on the framework for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

Ireland’s overriding objective is that a future EU-UK agreement should be comprehensive and ambitious and as wide as possible in its scope, while ensuring a level playing field and protecting the integrity of the Single Market.

More broadly, we continue to make clear to EU partners, to third countries, and to business and civil society, that Ireland’s place is at the heart of the European Union. This point is being pressed home at the public outreach meetings taking place under the Citizens’ Dialogue initiative launched last month. Moreover, the Irish people are strongly committed to EU membership as has been shown in numerous opinion polls over many years. It is imperative that we use our influence to shape the future direction of the European Union. Each Member State, Ireland included, will be bringing its own contributions to the debate. We will continue to work closely with partners to advance and defend Ireland's interests across the range of policy areas.

We have undertaken extensive analysis of the consequences of Brexit and our unequivocal conclusion is that our future interests are best served by remaining a fully committed member of the European Union, notwithstanding the UK’s departure.

We do not see any link, nor has any link been suggested by any other Member State, between the solidarity demonstrated by partners in regard to Brexit and our approach to other priority issues.