Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of negotiations particularly those relating to the Border region of counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of Brexit and the possible reintroduction of a hard border. [3771/19]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland’s position on a potential hard border will be reaffirmed in the event of a no-deal UK withdrawal from the EU in view of the statement made by a spokesperson for Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker reaffirming the EU external border position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3896/19]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 69 together.

The Government has been consistent that we will not accept a hard border on this island. The EU and UK both accept that avoiding a hard border is essential.

Throughout the negotiations it has been a priority to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, and to ensure that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland under any circumstances. Naturally the counties of Cavan and Monaghan are included in this commitment, which is of very particular relevance to people and businesses there. Only the Withdrawal Agreement, with its backstop provisions, provides the essential legal guarantee to avoid a hard border in any circumstances and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.

However, if the Withdrawal Agreement does not enter into force, Ireland and the EU will have responsibilities in terms of ensuring protection of the Single Market and Customs Union. The UK will have its own responsibilities, including meeting WTO requirements. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland and the UK have solemn and binding obligations to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland. As such, whether the UK leaves with or without an agreement in place, we will all have to work together to ensure that we deliver on the shared goal of avoiding the return of a hard border.

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, understands the importance of these commitments, and he provided further reassurances on this in a phone call with the Taoiseach on 24 January. This position is fully shared by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and our fellow EU 27 Member States. As the Commission spokesperson also stated on 23 January, the "EU is determined to do all it can, deal or no deal, to avoid the need for a border and to protect peace in Northern Ireland. The EU is fully behind Ireland and has expressed, on numerous occasions, full solidarity with Ireland. That has not changed."

We are committed to doing all in our power to ensure that goal is met. But it is preferable for us all to resolve this now, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement.