Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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99. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has completed any risk assessment since 1 September 2025 on the impact of unilateral UK changes to the Windsor Framework on cross-Border trade, regulatory stability and market access for Irish exporters; and if she will provide the findings of that assessment. [66577/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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100. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department’s current assessment of the level of exposure for exporters in the Cork port-region arising from possible UK regulatory divergence under the Windsor Framework; and if she will outline any contingency measures being developed for affected sectors. [66578/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position her Department has taken in the EU Working Party on the United Kingdom and in the Specialised Committee meetings since the European Commission raised concerns about UK unilateral actions; and if she will provide any briefing notes or submissions supplied by his officials to those forums. [66579/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 100 and 101 together.

The Windsor Framework, an agreement reached between the EU and UK in 2023, acknowledges the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland within the context of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU in 2016. Through it, the gains of the Good Friday Agreement have been protected, while also providing certainty and clarity for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland. The agreed upon safeguards and facilitations contained within the Windsor Framework ensure that Northern Ireland, while remaining part of the United Kingdom’s internal market, also retains access to the EU’s single market for goods. Crucially, this avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland and protects the all-island economy.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I will continue the work of my predecessor, the Tánaiste and now Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, in raising the importance of the full, timely and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework, recognising that it provides certainty and clarity for people and businesses across the island of Ireland. My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, similarly continues to raise this matter in his engagements with his EU and UK counterparts. At the most recent meeting of the General Affairs Council, Minister Byrne stressed the importance Ireland attaches to the full, timely and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework. Minister Byrne similarly raised this with the UK Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, when they met recently in Dublin.

Within the Windsor Framework, and the wider EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, there are clear procedures and mechanisms in place to address any issues that may arise, including legislative developments. Specifically, the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework, chaired by the EU and UK, meets regularly to monitor progress on Windsor Framework implementation. Through these committees, my officials are afforded the opportunity to deliver an intervention on behalf of Ireland in recognition of the unique circumstances that exist on the island of Ireland as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Moreover, as the Deputy rightly noted, Irish officials regularly raise the importance of the full, timely and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework at the Working Party on the United Kingdom. Through this Working Party, my officials engage regularly with the European Commission and fellow Member States, and continue to advocate for Ireland’s interests . The next meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework will take place on 3 December and Ireland will, once again, deliver an intervention noting the continued importance Ireland attaches to the implementation of the Framework.

On the issue of cross border trade, since the UK’s decision to leave the EU in 2016, successive Irish governments have continued to support the growth of the all-island economy. In that regard, I am pleased to note that InterTradeIreland has reported that the total volume of trade (in goods and services) between Northern Ireland and Ireland in 2023 reached approximately €15bn, an increase of €3bn as compared to 2022. Cross-border trade in goods in 2024 reached €10.6bn, an increase of 5% on 2023. I wish to commend the work of InterTradeIreland, which has consistently supported SMEs on both sides of the border in navigating the challenges that emerged from Brexit. To date, it has supported over 60,000 businesses and remains well positioned to support them through any future challenges.

I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I will continue to closely monitor developments and advocate strongly for Ireland’s interests across all EU forums.