Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of talks with persons he and his Department have had in regard to the Northern Ireland Protocol and Brexit. [58659/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which discussions between the European Union and UK authorities in relation to Brexit continue to be made with a view to ensuring the maximisation of the interests of the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4186/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 236 together.

I had a video call with Foreign Secretary Truss on 13 October on a range of issues including Brexit and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Following her taking responsibility for Brexit policy issues in December 2021, we spoke by phone on 21 December, and met in person in London on 6 January.

During these engagements, I emphasised that Ireland and the EU remain fully committed to providing certainty and stability for people and business in Northern Ireland. I noted that the Protocol is the joint EU–UK solution to mitigate against the disruption Brexit causes for citizens and businesses on the island of Ireland and that it can work if we allow it to.

I also speak regularly with Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefcovic. Most recently we met in Brussels on 24 January, shortly after his latest meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary. I reiterated to him Ireland’s strong support for his approach.

I welcome the recommencement of talks on the Protocol with the meetings of Vice-President Šefcovic and Foreign Secretary Truss. The positive tone from Secretary Truss is welcome, as is her stated determination to find a solution. The decision to have a meeting of the Joint Committee next month along with a continuation of intensified technical talks is a positive development. However, following the package of measures put forward by the European Commission, we need to see the UK Government meaningfully demonstrate its willingness to come to a deal on the key issues

On 25 January, Vice-President Šefcovic briefed the General Affairs Council on his recent engagements with the UK. It was clear the solidarity that has been the hallmark of the EU’s approach to Brexit remains strong.

Reaching an agreed approach on the Protocol could help reduce tensions ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections. I will continue to meet with political business and community leaders to listen to their concerns and to raise them with my counterparts across the EU.

The EU has made clear that it is ready to find flexible ways of implementing the Protocol, but it is not going to renegotiate it. Renegotiation is not necessary in order to solve legitimate challenges experienced by people and businesses in Northern Ireland

A positive outcome to discussions on the Protocol would also be an important factor in allowing us to turn a page and open up a new chapter in a forward-looking EU–UK partnership. There are a range of global challenges which will greatly benefit from the EU and UK working together.

Northern Ireland is seeing the benefits of the Protocol – in jobs and investment announcements. Businesses recognise the opportunities presented by the Protocol and the unique position of having free and full access to both the EU single market and the rest of the UK internal market. The Protocol will work if we allow it to with flexibility and pragmatism.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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215. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60514/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since its entry into force at the beginning of 2021, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) has provided a framework for continued trade and cooperation with the UK.

While no agreement could have replaced the seamless relationship with the UK enjoyed prior to Brexit, the TCA provides for tariff- and quota- free goods trade between the EU and the UK as well as preferential arrangements in areas such as transport, energy, fisheries, and policing. The agreement is underpinned by provisions to ensure a continued level playing field for businesses as well as extensive governance structures and processes for resolving any disputes which might arise.

The EU and the UK have been meeting regularly through those governance structures over the past year. A meeting of the EU-UK Partnership Council took place last June, at which the EU was represented by Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic and the UK was represented by David Frost. At that meeting, the two sides discussed the implementation of the Agreement, including in the areas of fisheries, work visa fees, law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and the UK’s participation in Union programmes.

All of the Specialised Committees, the forums for EU-UK engagement across each of the areas covered by the agreement, have now met at least once and discussions have largely been productive. Ireland has actively contributed to the preparation of the EU side’s position for those meetings and we continue to follow very closely, with the European Commission, the overall implementation of the agreement.

Effective implementation of the TCA is a priority for Ireland. Not only does it underpin our trade and business relationship with the UK, but it also provides the framework for cooperation in a wide range of areas of significance to us. It also provides a platform for developing further cooperation into the future.

Reaching an agreed approach on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland will be an important factor in allowing us all to turn a page and open up a new chapter in a forward-looking EU-UK partnership. There are a range of global challenges which we will all be better equipped to address with the EU and the UK working together.