Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the post-Brexit relationship talks planned as part of the December 2019 Foreign Affairs Council meeting; his policy objectives for same; and if he has met his officials to discuss same. [51850/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The future relationship between the UK and the EU will be discussed at the European Council on 13 December, but was not an item for discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council. It is expected that the European Council will adopt Conclusions on preparations for the negotiations on the future relationship with the UK post 31 January 2020.

While awaiting the outcome of the UK General Election, the EU is preparing for the upcoming negotiations on the future relationship. The EU has indicated it is ready to open negotiations immediately after ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement. These will aim at a broad, deep and flexible EU-UK partnership – with a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement at its core. To this end, the Commission has established the Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, led by Michel Barnier, which will coordinate the Commission’s work on Brexit and establishing the future relationship with the UK. The Task Force will also look at necessary work on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement during the transition period.

Ireland wants to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, while also ensuring adequate level playing field provisions to facilitate fair competition. Work is underway on and elaborating on our priorities for the future relationship negotiations.