Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the schedule for decision making on Brexit over the coming weeks. [29185/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We are at an important point for work across all Brexit work-streams. The ninth round of EU-UK negotiations concluded on 2 October. While a degree of progress was made, much work remains to resolve key issues including a Level Playing Field for open and fair competition, fisheries, and governance.

There was a brief update discussion on Brexit at the European Council on 2 October. The state of play in negotiations will be considered at the General Affairs Council on 13 October, and then by the EU's leaders at the European Council of 15-16 October.

Following the most recent negotiating round, President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Johnson spoke on 3 October, when they instructed the EU and UK Chief Negotiators to work intensively to bridge the gaps in those areas where the parties are furthest apart. We expect that the Chief Negotiators will continue these efforts in the days and weeks ahead. Michel Barnier has our full support in this work. The Brexit transition period ends on 31 December but any new agreement will need to be reached in sufficient time to ensure that the ratification processes can be completed before that date.

Work on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement is also continuing through the appropriate channels. The Specialised Committee on Citizens Rights will meet later this week. We also expect the Specialised Committee on Implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland to meet at the end of this week. Ireland will participate as part of the EU delegation at both these meetings.

Ireland will work closely with our EU partners as we continue to chart a united path through the next crucial few weeks. Meanwhile, at home, we continue our intensive domestic preparations to ensure that Ireland is ready for the end of the transition period.