Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

260. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he had discussions on the Northern Ireland protocol. [30694/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

261. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, arising from his recent expressions of concern that the UK's proposals to unilaterally set aside important parts of the Northern Ireland protocol could be seriously damaging to the Good Friday Agreement and could lead to a trade war, he will initiate an international diplomatic campaign with a view to ensuring that international agreements are kept in the letter and the spirit. [32192/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.

As has been the case throughout the Brexit process, the Government continues to undertake a coordinated and consistent outreach campaign in support of our Brexit priorities. The Taoiseach, Ministers, and officials from Dublin and all our embassies continue to meet with our counterparts and stakeholders in the EU institutions and across Member States and globally. The EU’s commitment to Northern Ireland is undiminished.

I am in ongoing and intensive contact with our partners across the EU, including European Commission Vice-President Šefcovic, who I spoke to on 13 June about the UK Government’s publication of draft legislation on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. I was in Brussels at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday (20 June), where I met with a number of my EU counterparts. The Taoiseach spoke with PM Johnson on 10 May, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 16 June, and with European Council President Charles Michel on 17 June. Minister of State Byrne is also in close contact with his EU counterparts, including at the General Affairs Council on 21 June, where EU-UK relations were discussed. Opposition to the UK’s illegal unilateral action is uniform across the Union and support for the Commission approach remains steadfast.

I spoke by phone to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on 13 June at the request of the UK Foreign Office, and expressed my deep disappointment at the UK’s proposed illegal actions. I made clear to her that no amount of vague language around protecting the Good Friday Agreement can denythe fact that the UK is planning to set aside a solemn agreement and to break international law. Far from fixing the challenges arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol, the UK government’s legislation will create a whole new set of uncertainties and damage relationships within Northern Ireland, across our islands, between our governments, and between the UK and the EU and its Member States.

The Government remains in contact, on an ongoing basis, with the US administration and key interlocutors in the United States who retain a keen interest in these developments. We welcomed a bipartisan Congressional Delegation, led by Congressman Richie Neal, to Dublin and Kerry in May. We are grateful for continued bipartisan US support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland throughout the Brexit process.

Despite the UK tabling its legislation on the Protocol, the EU remains open to talks on finding a joint solution, and has put forward further details on the practical solutions it published last October. We know the operation of the Protocol can be improved. Ireland has stated this clearly, as has the Commission. With political will, there are solutions to be found for the genuine issues of concern to people and business in Northern Ireland. Finding these solutions will allow Northern Ireland to experience in full the positive effects the Protocol can have on trade, investment, growth and employment.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

262. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to engage with the British Prime Minister and United Kingdom authorities in order to resolve difficulties caused by Brexit and alleviated by the Northern Ireland Protocol. [30958/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

310. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to bring further pressure on the British Government to fully honour the international agreement on Brexit; and if he continues to use the urgent need for the restoration of the Northern Assembly through all channels in this regard. [27717/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 310 together.

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was designed and agreed by the UK and EU to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions and to mitigate the inevitable disruption arising for the island of Ireland from Brexit.

I spoke last week to Foreign Secretary Truss and speak on an ongoing basis with Secretary of State Brandon Lewis regarding both the Protocol and NI Executive formation, while the Taoiseach remains in contact with Prime Minister Johnson. I also maintain ongoing contact with the parties and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland, as well as with Commission Vice-President Šefcovic, EU counterparts, and a range of US partners.

In contacts with the British Government, I have underlined the Irish Government’s deep disappointment at their decision to table legislation to unilaterally disapply parts of the Protocol. Such unilateral action would, if enacted, breach international law. It damages relationships within Northern Ireland, across our islands, between our governments, and between the UK and the EU.

I underlined that people in Northern Ireland do not support this legislation. We have seen that 52 MLAs have written to PM Johnson expressing “in the strongest possible terms” their objection to it. Northern Ireland business is clear that they need certainty and stability and that this requires a negotiated settlement.

Both the Irish Government and European Commission have engaged consistently with Northern Ireland stakeholders, including the Unionist community, to understand their concerns. In October, the Commission presented proposals directly addressing these concerns, but the UK has not seriously engaged with them. Last week, in addition to relaunching infringement proceedings following the UK’s actions on the Protocol, the Commission outlined further detail for these proposals.

Only joint solutions can provide long-term legal certainty and predictability to Northern Ireland. The UK needs to reciprocate the flexibility shown by the EU. I strongly urge the British Government to engage constructively with the EU.

It is also important that we continue to work to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, and the ongoing work of the peace process. The election on 5 May brought with it significant democratic change. It is, first and foremost, a matter for the parties now, and those representatives elected in good faith, to come together to establish an Executive to deliver for all the people of Northern Ireland on the basis of election result, and in a spirit of partnership, equality and mutual respect.

I hope, as we all do, that we will see those institutions up and running as soon as possible. I will continue to engage with the Secretary of State, other British Government counterparts, and the parties in Northern Ireland, in support of the functioning of all of the Good Friday Agreement institutions and a peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland.