Barnier: A close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest

Michel Barnier, the EU chief negotiator for Brexit, addressed the Dáil today and touched on a range of issues that will be at the forefront for Ireland in the negotiations.

Amy Forde

11 May 2017

Barnier: A close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest

Michel Barnier with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dáil Éireann.

If the conditions are right, a close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest and in Ireland's interest in particular, Michel Barnier told Dáil Éireann today.The EU's chief Brexit negotiator said that the UK has been a member of the EU for 44 years and it should remain a close partner, adding that a "bold and ambitious" but fair free-trade agreement will need to be negotiated.

If the conditions are right, a close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest and in Ireland's interest in particular, Michel Barnier told Dáil Éireann today.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator said that the UK has been a member of the EU for 44 years and it should remain a close partner, adding that a "bold and ambitious" but fair free-trade agreement will need to be negotiated.

He said that currently, Ireland exports 14% of its goods and 20% of its services to the UK, which is twice the EU average.

He also said that the agricultural and energy sectors are fully interconnected on the island of Ireland.

Perspective

"Of course, such facts must be put in perspective; before Ireland’s accession to the EU in 1973, the UK accounted for over 50% of Irish trade.

"Today, Ireland exports much more to the other EU countries than to the UK. And the single market is a key asset for your financial or pharmaceutical industry.

"Still, the specific issues that you face deserve all our attention.

"Once again, Ireland shares a land border with the UK. And most of its trade to the EU goes through the UK."

Unique status

Barnier said because of Ireland's historical and geographical ties with the UK and because of Ireland's shared border and strong economic links, Ireland is in a unique position.

"With the depreciation of sterling, Brexit is already having an impact on the value of Irish exports to the UK. In particular, the agri-food sector.

"And many in Ireland fear the return of tensions in the North."

Barnier said he will work with Ireland to avoid a hard border and said the border issue will be one of his three priorities for the first phase of the negotiations.

Preparatory work

Ireland has done remarkable preparatory work ahead of Brexit and with the EU, we are working towards solutions, he said.

"I want to listen to the concerns of the Irish people. But I also want to pass on a message of hope and determination.

"For all the problems it creates, Brexit also reminds us of what the EU has built together."

Visit to the North

Tomorrow, Barnier confirmed that he will travel to the border with Northern Ireland.

"I will meet farmers and workers in a dairy co-operative. I want to learn from them and listen to their concerns about how they are affected by Brexit."