New Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue believes Europe is standing shoulder to shoulder with Ireland as the crunch weeks for Brexit approach.
In his first major interview since his appointment, the Donegal TD said: "There's been tremendous focus and resolve domestically and certainly at European level the solidarity with our very unique exposure to Brexit.
"[Michel] Barnier and his team have been working hand in glove with our own Government in that regard."
Hogan
Speaking in advance of the Government’s nomination of Mairead McGuinness and Andrew McDowell as the options to succeed Phil Hogan, McConalogue said: ‘‘I think Commissioner Hogan did a really good job in relation to getting the Irish message across in relation to his own job and in his role previously as Agriculture Commissioner.
"I’ve no doubt that from the names that are being mentioned that the next Commissioner will be one that will be effective. We have a long tradition of effective commissioners to be the Irish voice in there," he told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Brexit
"The intensity has not dropped at any stage and that needs to continue at full tilt to ensure that, across the board, everyone is aware of the Irish concerns. Everything that has happened at European level to date shows that awareness is there.
"That collegiality and respect that has been shown for us, and the solidarity with Ireland in respect of the dangers that Brexit poses for us as a country, are central to the Brexit approach and negotiation stance adopted.
Pat O'Toole interviews new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.\ Philip Doyle
"That needs to continue and I have no doubt it will as well. Certainly not in relation to the challenge of getting a good outcome in relation to the trade negotiations," he said.
Public awareness
McConalogue added that the Government needs to crank up public awareness for whatever outcome emerges.
"From the public awareness [of Brexit], it has gone off the boil a little, with COVID-19 dominating people’s attention, I think that’s something we have to turn our attention to, to make sure that everyone does prepare.
"In the event of a trade deal, there will be changes there. We have to ensure that across our sector we are prepared for whatever those changes will be.
"I’ll be working very closely with everybody across the sectors. We are now in the countdown period, and while a lot of work has been done, it’s important.
"From an agreement point of view and a negotiation point of view, the resolve is very determined and will continue to be," he said.
See www.farmersjournal.ie this weekend and next week's paper for more from the Irish Farmers Journal interview with Minister McConalogue.
Read more
Farmers set out their stalls for Minister McConalogue
McConalogue appointed Minister for Agriculture
Donegal minister knows the importance of cross-border trade - Macra
New Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue believes Europe is standing shoulder to shoulder with Ireland as the crunch weeks for Brexit approach.
In his first major interview since his appointment, the Donegal TD said: "There's been tremendous focus and resolve domestically and certainly at European level the solidarity with our very unique exposure to Brexit.
"[Michel] Barnier and his team have been working hand in glove with our own Government in that regard."
Hogan
Speaking in advance of the Government’s nomination of Mairead McGuinness and Andrew McDowell as the options to succeed Phil Hogan, McConalogue said: ‘‘I think Commissioner Hogan did a really good job in relation to getting the Irish message across in relation to his own job and in his role previously as Agriculture Commissioner.
"I’ve no doubt that from the names that are being mentioned that the next Commissioner will be one that will be effective. We have a long tradition of effective commissioners to be the Irish voice in there," he told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Brexit
"The intensity has not dropped at any stage and that needs to continue at full tilt to ensure that, across the board, everyone is aware of the Irish concerns. Everything that has happened at European level to date shows that awareness is there.
"That collegiality and respect that has been shown for us, and the solidarity with Ireland in respect of the dangers that Brexit poses for us as a country, are central to the Brexit approach and negotiation stance adopted.
Pat O'Toole interviews new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.\ Philip Doyle
"That needs to continue and I have no doubt it will as well. Certainly not in relation to the challenge of getting a good outcome in relation to the trade negotiations," he said.
Public awareness
McConalogue added that the Government needs to crank up public awareness for whatever outcome emerges.
"From the public awareness [of Brexit], it has gone off the boil a little, with COVID-19 dominating people’s attention, I think that’s something we have to turn our attention to, to make sure that everyone does prepare.
"In the event of a trade deal, there will be changes there. We have to ensure that across our sector we are prepared for whatever those changes will be.
"I’ll be working very closely with everybody across the sectors. We are now in the countdown period, and while a lot of work has been done, it’s important.
"From an agreement point of view and a negotiation point of view, the resolve is very determined and will continue to be," he said.
See www.farmersjournal.ie this weekend and next week's paper for more from the Irish Farmers Journal interview with Minister McConalogue.
Read more
Farmers set out their stalls for Minister McConalogue
McConalogue appointed Minister for Agriculture
Donegal minister knows the importance of cross-border trade - Macra
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