Written answers

Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Brexit Issues

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to establish new formal structures for dialogue between the UK and Ireland in view of the impact that Brexit will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16879/18]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon 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. Additionally, we will 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 cooperation 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. Additionally, 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.

These structures have shown their value and will continue to evolve in response to the changing circumstances. In addition, we will also explore other avenues to maintain the “habit of cooperation” that currently exists where Ministers regularly meet their counterparts and work together in Brussels. This deeper working relationship should allow for cooperation across a broad range of issues of shared interest.

The Embassy of Ireland in London remains our largest bilateral Embassy globally, and, in 2017, 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’ also enjoys a significant footprint in Britain with our trade, tourism, and investment agencies continuing to make a positive impact.

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