Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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38. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagement with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. [39900/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May in the margins of the Informal Summit in Salzburg on Thursday 20 September.

During the meeting, I reiterated that I hope the future relationship between the EU and the UK will be as close, comprehensive and ambitious as possible, but that it is essential that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, is agreed first.

I stressed too, that there is not much time left if we are to conclude a Withdrawal Agreement, and have it operational by the time the UK leaves the EU.

The Prime Minister said that the UK would be bringing forward proposals for a backstop.

I also raised the current political situation in Northern Ireland and underlined the need to get the devolved institutions up and running again.

I look forward to seeing the Prime Minister at the European Council in Brussels this week.