Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Finance if he or his officials have discussed the need to recruit up to 1,000 officials for Brexit with his British counterpart. [35453/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The priorities of the Irish Government are represented as the collective interests of the EU27 during the ongoing Brexit negotiations. We actively engage with the European Commission Taskforce and EU Brexit Preparedness Unit. The chief negotiator for the EU, Michel Barnier leads discussions with the UK on behalf of the EU27. In light of the shared EU approach, Ireland do not negotiate directly with the UK.

In the course of normal international relations I meet with Chancellor Hammond and engage constructively on the strong relationship between our countries, we discuss the importance of trade between the two economies, and the many areas of common interest shared by Ireland and the UK.

During those discussions, I have reiterated to the Chancellor that the Irish Government fully respects the unity of the EU27 during negotiations and emphasised the importance our Government attaches to doing everything possible to make progress in the Brexit negotiations.