Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to or met with his UK counterparts or other EU counterparts since the UK Government submitted its written alternative suggestions to the backstop to the EU; his views on whether it is a final offer; and his further views on whether the Prime Minister is determined to scrap the backstop. [40811/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My officials and I remain in on-going contact with representatives from other EU Member States and the European Commission on a range of EU issues including Brexit. It is clear from these engagements that our EU partners remain strongly committed to ensuring a fully operational solution in the Withdrawal Agreement that avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland and protects the all-island economy and the integrity of the Single Market.

I met with Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith on 4 October where we discussed a range of issues including the on-going challenges regarding Brexit. However, as has been the case throughout this process, I have been clear that discussions on the Withdrawal Agreement, and the future relationship, are led by the Commission, on behalf of all Member States, and cannot be treated as a bilateral issue.

The UK put forward its proposals for a new Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on 2 October. While Mr Barnier has welcomed the tabling of formal proposals, there is work to be done to narrow the considerable gap between the EU and UK positions. Discussions are continuing in Brussels with a range of significant concerns on the EU side, notably as regards the British proposals on customs arrangements and on governance arrangements.

Ireland and the EU want a deal – but it is very clear that any deal must respect the EU’s core objectives. Any alternative to the backstop must meet all of its objectives. It must protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, avoiding a hard border, including any physical infrastructure and related checks and controls, protecting North South cooperation and the all island economy, and protecting the integrity of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union and Ireland’s place in them.

With 9 days until the European Council and 23 until 31 October, we hope that the UK engages constructively with Michel Barnier and the Task Force as we all continue to work towards a deal and orderly UK withdrawal. I and my officials will remain in contact with Michel Barnier and his team.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an extension will be applied for and granted to the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union if it is not possible to negotiate or agree a Brexit deal at the EU Council meeting in October 2019 in view of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019 (details supplied); and if the EU is planning for all scenarios. [40814/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under Article 50.3 of the Treaty on European Union, an extension of the article 50 process requires the unanimous decision of the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned.

We note the terms of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019, which, inter alia, would require an extension to Article 50 until 31 January 2020 be sought, if the House of Commons has not approved a deal, or has not approved leaving the EU without a deal, by 19 October. At the same time, we note Prime Minister Johnson’s stated intention that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the application of UK legislation in this matter.

If a request is made by the UK to extend the date of its departure from the EU, Ireland, together with our European partners, will consider it carefully, taking into account the reasons for a possible extension and the duration. Bearing in mind these considerations, Ireland is open to such a request.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the written alternative arrangements from the UK relating to the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union are a breach of the agreement between the two Governments in December 2017; and his views on whether the Good Friday Agreement is also breached by same. [40815/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We welcome the fact that the UK has tabled formal proposals on 2 October. As President Juncker has noted, the move towards full regulatory alignment of goods for Northern Ireland is a good step.

However, any alternative to the backstop must meet all of its objectives. It must protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, avoiding a hard border, including any physical infrastructure and related checks and controls, protecting North-South cooperation and the all-island economy, and protecting the integrity of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union and Ireland’s place within in this framework. The UK’s proposals as tabled with the Commission Taskforce on 2 October, do not meet all of these objectives.

It is deeply disappointing that the British Government have stepped back from their commitments of December 2017. Equally, the UK’s new stance on the future relationship, and their rejection of level-playing field issues, makes things more problematic.

Ireland and the EU want a deal – but it is very clear that any deal must respect the EU’s core objectives. This was reconfirmed by EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier at our last meeting.

The Commission is continuing its examination of the UK proposals, and their discussions with the UK are ongoing in Brussels to clarify elements of the proposals. We hope that the UK engages constructively with Michel Barnier and his team to narrow the gap between the EU and UK positions notably in areas such as customs arrangements, governance proposals and protecting the delicate balance of the Good Friday Agreement.