Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he and his Department officials saw the draft text of the transition section of the Brexit withdrawal agreement that was circulated on 6 February 2018. [6902/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission Taskforce presented the draft legal terms for transitional arrangements to the EU27 Member States on 6 February, in advance of its publication on 7 February. The relevant Council bodies in Brussels are currently finalizing this text.

The position paper is fully based on the negotiating directives agreed at the General Affairs Council (Article 50) on 29 January, following the normal preparatory discussions at official level.

Ireland has taken a very active part in all EU27 discussions on the EU-UK negotiations, including on issues which are not specific to Ireland.

We have consistently pushed for transitional arrangements, which are hugely important for giving certainty to individuals and businesses. It is, therefore, welcome that the necessary technical work on this issue is being prioritized.