Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan TD, addressed the local EU Diplomatic Corps in Iveagh House today (Friday). His address to ambassadors touched on the broad range of foreign policy challenges facing the European Union but there was a strong focus on Brexit and preparations for the Article 50 negotiations.
Engaging with EU partners at official and political levels is a key pillar of the Government's response to, and preparation for, Brexit. The purpose of this strategy is to ensure that Ireland's unique priorities – not least in relation to Northern Ireland and the Common Travel Area – are understood by our partners, with whom we will be negotiating as part of a team of 27 Member States. To that end, since the UK referendum last June, Minister Flanagan has spoken at least once with each and every Foreign Minister in the EU. Further engagements are planned for the weeks ahead.
In addressing the local diplomatic corps from EU Member States, Minister Flanagan set the Irish priorities for the upcoming negotiations: our economy and trade, Northern Ireland and border issues, the Common Travel Area and the future of the EU itself. He also emphasised the extent of Ireland's preparedness, which began two years ago.
Speaking about the upcoming negotiations between the EU and the UK, Minister Flanagan said:
"Process is important. But attitudes and atmosphere are more important. I welcome the Prime Minister’s assurance that the UK wishes to have a close and friendly relationship with the Union, and wants an orderly process. If the UK takes a constructive and pragmatic approach in setting its goals and conducting the negotiations it should be met with a similar approach from the EU side. It is manifestly in the interests of both the EU and the UK that Brexit be managed sensibly, and that the future relationship between us be close and mutually beneficial.”
Minister Flanagan also stressed Ireland’s readiness for the negotiations ahead, while underlining Ireland’s strong commitment to the EU, stating: He continued:
“. . . Ireland is fully committed to the European Union. It should not be necessary to say this. But in recent times some commentators have argued that we should consider following the British example. Debate is always healthy and there can be no taboos. But the arguments we have heard are flimsy and misconceived . . . The Irish economy depends enormously on our membership of the Single Market and of the Customs Union . . . The consequence of leaving the European Union would inevitably be a return to a greater dependence on the UK and, effectively, a return to the sterling area – without any of the input we have around the European table. This would reverse the trend of the past forty years and the great strides we have made in diversifying our economic and political relationships. It would surely be politically inconceivable in a period when we are marking the centenary of our passage to independence.”
Speaking about the current political crisis in Northern Ireland and the potential consequences for the Brexit negotiations, Minister Flanagan added:
“The current political crisis in Northern Ireland, and the forthcoming Assembly elections, have of course complicated the task of agreeing common North/South objectives, certainly in the coming weeks and possibly months. In the context of this temporary hiatus, the continuation of the all-island Civic Dialogue assumes a particular significance. Sectoral meetings addressing specific themes are under way and the second plenary takes place on 17 February . . . The work done to date in the North/South Ministerial Council on shared priorities has demonstrated a considerable degree of emerging consensus between Dublin and Belfast. I very much hope that a hotly contested election will not damage that consensus. Both communities in Northern Ireland can be assured that the Irish Government will be fair and determined in working for the best possible outcome – what works best for Northern Ireland will also work best for us.”
Concluding, Minister Flanagan emphasised the importance of the British market for Irish companies and the unprecedentedly positive relationship with the UK which will continue and is not in conflict with Ireland’s commitment to the EU:
“Finally, logic points to a future EU-UK relationship which will be mutually beneficial. It will not be easy to achieve, and the road ahead may be bumpy. But with goodwill and common sense I believe it is probable. The UK will remain our closest neighbour, and the European Union will remain our political and economic home.”