Written answers

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Official Engagements

Photo of Patricia RyanPatricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his most recent conversation with the UK Foreign Secretary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23622/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 4 May, I spoke with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Elizabeth Truss, M.P. This followed calls between us in January and a meeting in February. We discussed co-operation in support of Ukraine, the ongoing EU-UK discussions on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and the elections in Northern Ireland.

We addressed the grave situation in Ukraine and agreed on the need for tough sanctions on Russia and the need to continue and develop collaboration right across Europe in the face of Russian aggression. We reviewed action being taken by the EU collectively, by Ireland and by the UK.

We had a detailed discussion regarding the ongoing EU-UK discussions related to the Protocol. This addressed broad strategic issues, the background to where we are today, current technical discussions and the then upcoming elections in Northern Ireland.

We both articulated our preference for a negotiated approach between the EU and UK.

I underlined the need to find joint EU-UK solutions on the remaining issues, working in partnership and with flexibility in regards to its implementation. I emphasised that the EU remains fully committed to working with the UK to find pragmatic solutions for genuine issues raised by people and businesses in Northern Ireland. I referenced my engagements with NI business and what I have heard from them on how the protocol is actually working on the ground.

As you will know, the Protocol was designed and agreed by the UK and EU to address the challenges faced by Northern Ireland following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, and I noted that unilateral action will not deliver a sustainable outcome. I underlined our support for the work of European Commission Vice-President Šefcovic and his team.

I called for the UK to commit genuinely to detailed discussion to work through the current issues. I committed that Ireland would continue to support those discussions.

We recognised the importance of our continued communication.

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