Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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441. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and other political leaders on a range of issues, including in relation to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

On 3 March, I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and with Lord Frost, who since 1 March is the Cabinet Minister responsible for EU-UK relations. At this meeting I expressed the Government’s grave concern and regret that the UK was planning to move in a unilateral way, rather than working in continued partnership with the EU in accordance with the EU-UK joint statements of 11 and 24 February.

I am well aware of the practical challenges, which some businesses and people in Northern Ireland have faced in relation to certain aspects of the Protocol’s implementation. I, and officials in my Department, continue to engage closely with counterparts and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including in the business and civil society communities. We are listening carefully to any concerns they have.

In this regard, Ireland has consistently advocated a pragmatic approach to implementation within the existing framework of the Protocol, including joint consideration of modest extensions to grace periods. This is, however, only possible in a spirit of cooperation and partnership and through the agreed mechanisms.

I have consistently said that we want the Protocol to work for Northern Ireland, and for the island as a whole, in as smooth a manner as possible. It is important that Northern Ireland is able to benefit from the considerable positive opportunities created by the Protocol.

The Irish Government’s focus remains on ensuring that the Protocol, as an international agreement concluded by the EU and UK, is fully implemented. It is the agreed and only solution to the problems created on the island of Ireland by Brexit.

We will continue to have regular contact with political leaders and engage with other stakeholders, including businesses and civic society in Northern Ireland in relation to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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442. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the arrangements for further discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the full implementation of the New Decade, New Approach policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the Government’s key tasks is to see the New Decade, New Approach agreement implemented. It was agreed that there would be regular review meetings involving the two Governments at Ministerial level and the parties to monitor progress on implementing the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, and the delivery of commitments by each Government.

On Monday 11 January, I participated by videoconference in the first Implementation Review Meeting of the New Decade, New Approach agreement alongside the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and party leaders in Northern Ireland. During that meeting, we discussed the progress that has been made over the past year on the implementation of our respective commitments, and the shared challenges we face in the context of both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. We reaffirmed our collective commitment to the ongoing implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. It is hoped that we can arrange a second implementation review meeting in the period ahead.

I will continue to engage closely with the Secretary of State as we move forward on these and other issues. Regular contacts are also maintained by officials in my Department with the Northern Ireland Office, as we seek to work together on a wide range of areas of cooperation.