Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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752. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent engagements with his counterpart in the United Kingdom; if recent concerns regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14613/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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753. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent engagements with his European counterparts; if concerns regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol have been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14614/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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754. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent engagements with the Northern Ireland Executive; if the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14615/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 752 to 754, inclusive, together.

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, as an international agreement concluded by the EU and the UK, must be fully implemented. It is the agreed and only available solution to the problems created on the island of Ireland by Brexit. This message is central to my contacts with counterparts across these islands, Europe and beyond.

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 particularly important that Northern Ireland is able to benefit from the considerable positive opportunities created by the Protocol, including the continued unimpeded operation of all-island supply chains, as well as full and free access to both the EU Single Market and the UK internal market. 

I maintain very close and regular contact with European counterparts, most particularly with Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic – the EU co-Chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and primary interlocutor for the Union with the UK on the implementation of the Protocol.

I have regular contact with representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive and political leaders. I would also like to acknowledge Vice President Šefcovic's very useful and welcome recent engagements with stakeholders in Northern Ireland and his commitment to maintain regular contact with Northern Irish business and civil society groups, clearly demonstrating that the EU is listening to voices in the North.

I am well aware of the practical challenges which arise from Britain’s decision to leave the EU Single Market and Customs Union. My Department will continue to engage closely with Northern Irish stakeholders, listening carefully to their concerns and acting to mitigate the negative impacts of Brexit where possible.

On 3 March, I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and with Lord Frost, the UK’s Minister co-chairing the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and TCA Partnership Council. I expressed the Government’s grave concern and regret regarding the UK’s plans for unilateral action with regard to the Protocol, rather than working in continued partnership with the EU in accordance with the EU-UK joint statements of 11 and 24 February. I also maintain ongoing contacts with other British Government counterparts on these issues and other matters of common interest.

I have 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 established by the Protocol.

Unilateral actions are contrary to the spirit and letter of the Protocol – and undercut the trust vital to the optimal working of the EU-UK relationship. I have made clear that it is incumbent on the UK to do all it can to rebuild that trust and to act within the structures of the Protocol.

My engagement with counterparts is reinforced with substantial further regular engagement from Ministerial colleagues and Departmental officials.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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755. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent engagements with his counterpart in the United States of America; if the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been discussed; if Brexit and its impact on Ireland has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14616/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government,as wellin our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). We look forward to working with the new US Administration on the many global challenges facing the international community, from the pandemic to climate change to promoting peace and security, as well as on issues of particular importance to our bilateral relationship. Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US and will continue to do so, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic Missions across the US and through the US Embassy in Dublin.

I spoke with my counterpart in the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on 13 February. This call offered a valuable opportunity to congratulate Secretary Blinken on his appointment and to reiterate the commitment of the Government to strengthening both our bilateral relationship and wider transatlantic relations. During the call, in addition to foreign policy issues, we discussed Brexit, Northern Ireland and the importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. The engagement by successive US Administrations, Congress and the Irish Diaspora has made an indispensable contribution to the success of the Peace Process over the last three decades, and continues to do so. 

I also met with Secretary Blinken at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 February where the importance of the transatlantic relationship, and the scope for enhanced cooperation on a host of issues, were discussed. 

On 10 March, the Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefcovic, and I met virtually with the Friends of Ireland Caucus in the US Congress. This meeting underlined once again the bipartisan support from America’s most senior political figures for stability in Northern Ireland and safeguarding the gains of the Good Friday Agreement, including avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland. It was an opportunity, too, to brief the Caucus on the latest EU-UK developments, including the UK’s unilateral moves on implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.  The Protocol is the agreed and only solution to the problems created on the island of Ireland by Brexit.

We 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. Making this work requires a genuine spirit of partnership and close cooperation and we hope that the UK Government now recommits to full implementation of the Protocol in partnership with the EU. 

The Government greatly values the support, friendship and engagement of the United States on the Peace Process, and for the stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland. These messages were reiterated by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US last week.

Looking ahead, we will continue to maintain close relations with the new Administration, Members of Congress, across the aisle, and contacts from across the political spectrum. This engagement extends to our contacts at federal, state, city and local levels.