Stephen Donnelly
Question:194. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views of the citizenship proposals put forward by Prime Minister May in a policy paper (details supplied). [32101/17]
View answerWednesday, 12 July 2017
Questions (194)
Written answers
Safeguarding the rights and entitlements of EU citizens resident in the UK as well as UK citizens resident in the EU has been identified as a key priority by both the European Union and the UK within the context of the Article 50 negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. As set out in the comprehensive document published on 2 May entitled Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, the Government believes that an agreement on the rights of citizens should be wide, ambitious and comprehensive. I am satisfied that the Guidelines for the negotiations adopted by the European Council (Art. 50) on 29 April and the more detailed negotiating directives agreed by the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) on 22 May fully reflect Ireland’s approach in this regard. The EU’s position has been formally conveyed to the UK by way of a position paper, which was published on 12 June and presented in detail to the UK side during the first round of negotiations on 19 June. It is positive that the UK Government has now published its approach to the issue in a paper entitled Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU .
Ireland, along with its EU27 partners, is currently studying the detail of the UK paper, which will be discussed between the EU and the UK as part of the work stream on citizens’ rights under the Article 50 process. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place on 17 July. While clearly there are differences between the two sides’ proposals, I am hopeful that progress can be made as quickly as possible so that certainty can be provided early in the withdrawal process on this issue, which impacts directly upon the lives and livelihoods of over 4 million people.
In addition to working with our EU27 partners in advocating an ambitious agreement on citizens’ rights, the Government is continuing to work closely with the European Commission Taskforce and the UK with a view to maintaining the Common Travel Area, which provides reciprocal rights for Irish people living and working in the UK and British citizens living in Ireland.
The importance of the continuation of bilateral arrangements and agreements between Ireland and the UK, including the CTA, has been recognised by the EU in the European Council Guidelines of 29 April and the negotiating directives of 22 May and this has been further reflected in the EU’s position paper on citizens’ rights. Similarly, the UK has noted that its proposals on citizens’ rights are without prejudice to the Common Travel Area.