6 Feb 2017, 10:58
6 February 2017
A delegation from the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs will visit Brussels this week to hold high level discussions on a range of issues under the Committee’s remit, including the Irish impact of the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union.
During the visit, Committee Members will meet with, among others, Mr. Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator for the European Commission, Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, European Parliament Representative on Brexit, Commissioner Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman and H.E. Declan Kelleher, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union.
Committee Chairman, Michael Healy Rae TD, said “The genuine concern that is being expressed about the possible impact of the referendum decision on the Irish economy and society, cannot be understated. The Committee believe that it is a fundamental part of our remit that we bring these concerns to the European Institutions and we look forward to engaging at the highest levels on matters that affect people all across the island of Ireland.”
“As part of our delegation, we will also have a Member who sits on the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, Senator Gerard Craughwell, who will join us in highlighting, specifically, the unique challenges that any return to a hard border could pose to the island of Ireland. This would be a backwards step and one that is in no one’s interest, either economically or socially.”
Speaking about the broader workload of the Oireachtas Committee system in addressing Brexit issues, Chairman of the Working Group of Committee Chairman, Jim Daly TD said “The UK departure from the EU is arguably the biggest challenge facing Ireland, given the unique and close economic, geographic and social ties between Ireland and Britain. As politicians, it is incumbent upon us, not only to be informed about the possible implications of Brexit, but to be ready for whatever challenges it may pose.”
“Oireachtas Committees provide us with a unique opportunity to engage directly with policy-makers, stakeholders and civil society and, in this regard, have been very proactive on the issue of Brexit. A number of Committees have already held a series of hearings on Brexit and their reports are imminent. Over the coming weeks and months, Committees will continue to assess the potential impact that Brexit could have on jobs, trade, exports, investment, travel and the movement of people and examine how we can mitigate any negative effect the UK departure from the EU might have on Ireland.”
Ends
Members of the Delegation:
Chairman and Leader of the Delegation: Michael Healy-Rae TD [Ind - Kerry]
Seán Crowe, TD [SF/GUI, Dublin South-West]
Bernard J Durkan, TD [FG/EPP, Kildare North]
Seán Haughey, TD [FF/ALDE, Dublin Bay North]
Senator Gerard Craughwell [Ind]
Senator Neale Richmond [FG/EPP]
The programme for the working visit includes:
• Meeting with Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator for the European Commission
• Meeting with Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, BE), European Parliament Representative on Brexit
• Meeting with Commissioner Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development
• Meeting with Minister Dara Murphy TD, Minister of State for European Affairs
• Meeting with Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman
• Meeting with H.E. Declan Kelleher, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union
• Meeting with Representatives of Irish Organisations in Brussels
• Meeting with MEP’s from a variety of Members States and political parties
Notes to the editor:
1. The European Union Affairs Committee visit to Brussels builds on substantial work already carried out by Oireachtas Committees in relation to Brexit. The Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has held a series of meetings on the implications for the Agri-food sector and will publish a report this month. The Committee on Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation has also engaged with stakeholder groups over the past number of months on how best to secure Irish jobs in the face of Brexit, while the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement has discussed Brexit’s potential impact on border communities, the Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process.
Reports from these Committees will be published in the coming weeks. Future meetings on Brexit are being planned for the Joint Committees on Foreign Affairs and Trade; Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach; and Arts, Heritage, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
2. Access Committee presentations, news and reports here.
3. Access transcripts of Committee meetings here.
4. The archive of Committee meetings can be watched here.