Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

122. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he informed the European negotiating team that he was in favour of a transition period; the length of time proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5405/18]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department was consulted on the length of the transition period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5406/18]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the length of time needed for a transition period in Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5407/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together.

On 29 January the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) adopted supplementary negotiating directives mandating the European Commission to open negotiations with the UK on a transitional arrangement. Ireland was represented by Minister of State McEntee. I welcome the adoption of these negotiating Directives. From the start of the EU-UK negotiations Ireland has been to fore in arguing for effective transitional arrangements that ensure an orderly UK withdrawal from the Union, minimises disruption for citizens and businesses and leads to an ambitious and comprehensive future relationship agreement. Through the various preparatory bodies and at the GAC (Art 50) we were active in working with our EU27 partners and the European Commission to shape the negotiating Directives. The Directives were in turn based on the European Council Guidelines agreed with the Taoiseach and his fellow Heads of State and Government at the European Council on 15 December last.

I welcome that the EU is proposing a status quo transitional arrangement after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. Such an arrangement will provide certainty and limit disruption for our citizens and businesses. Under such an arrangement the UK will be expected to continue to apply the full EU acquis.

As concerns the duration of such a transition, the Government agrees that in the interests of long term certainty, and to accelerate agreement on the future relationship agreement, it must be time bound . This is the overall view of both the EU and of the UK. Therefore a date of 31 December 2020 has been set for the end of the transition period. But equally, as the negotiations progress, the overriding objective on both sides must be to avoid any gaps and any cliff edge effects. It is therefore welcome that the General Affairs Council agreed to keep the Directives in all their aspects under constant review, taking account of developments in the Brexit negotiations.This provides the flexibility required.