Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will countenance under any circumstance a border, economic or otherwise, being introduced within Ireland. [35966/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Protection of the Good Friday Agreement, including the avoidance of a hard border, has been a fundamental priority for the Government throughout the Brexit process, and at every phase of negotiations.

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement. It ensures no hard border on the island of Ireland, including no physical infrastructure or related checks and controls. It provides important safeguards protecting North South cooperation and the all island economy and recognises the Common Travel Area. Crucially, it also protects the integrity of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union and Ireland’s place in both.

The Protocol will apply at the end of the transition period. It is a fully legally operable solution designed to operate in all circumstances, including in the absence of an agreement on the Future Relationship between the EU and UK. It is expressly designed to provide stability and certainty on the island of Ireland.

While the Protocol was agreed as part of the Withdrawal Agreement, the EU-UK Joint Committee was tasked with making a number of decisions in respect of the operation of the Protocol before the end of the transition period. These and other matters continue to be taken forward by the EU and UK in the Joint and Specialised Committees, at which Ireland participates as part of the EU delegation.

Throughout the Brexit process, there has been a strong understanding from EU partners of the need to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. The all island economy and the protection of North South economic and social cooperation continue to be at the heart of our approach. This is not just about ensuring frictionless trade; it is also about facilitating peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Fundamentally, this is about peace, reconciliation and prosperity.

The Protocol was the result of long and difficult negotiations and represents a fair and balanced outcome for all parties. There have been compromises on all sides.

It is key now that the Protocol is implemented in full and in good faith, as a matter of urgency. The full and effective implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement is absolutely central to securing an agreement between the EU and the UK on a future relationship.

With our EU partners, we continue to urge the UK to move forward urgently on operationalising all aspects of the Protocol.