Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration has been given to the need for new formal structures for dialogue to be established between the Irish and British Governments in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53145/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government has been clear in its view that we do not want the United Kingdom to leave the EU, but ultimately that is a decision for the people of the United Kingdom and we respect the democratic outcome of the referendum in June of last year.

However, Ireland maintains a strong and constructive bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom and we are committed to developing and enhancing this. We will also work to secure the closest possible positive relationship between the UK and the European Union.

There are already a number of channels for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the Irish and British governments, which will continue after the UK leaves the European Union. In this regard, the Good Friday Agreement provides for important institutional co-operation on an east-west basis through the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference (BIIGC) and the British Irish Council (BIC). 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.

These structures have shown their value and will continue to evolve in response to the changing circumstances. The British Irish Council continues to work on areas of shared importance, with the Taoiseach and Minister McHugh attending the most recent British Irish Council Summit meeting in Jersey in November. Three of the four British Irish Parliamentary Assembly Committees carried out inquiries into the consequences of the UK exit from the EU for various sectors across this island, meeting with practitioners and stakeholders to hear evidence and further the discourse around this issue of primary importance.

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.

Deputies will also be aware of ongoing contact between Government Ministers and their UK counterparts across a range of policy areas. I recently welcomed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to Dublin where, in addition to Brexit, we had the opportunity to discuss a number of areas of mutual foreign policy interest.

I am therefore confident that existing structures will provide ample opportunity for positive dialogue between our two Governments.