Post Brexit Bilateral Agreement with UK not possible

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Darragh O’Brien TD has said that an Ireland-UK Bilateral Agreement is not possible.


Deputy O’Brien made his comments following a meeting with Lord Jay after the publication of a House of Lords Report which examined the impact of Brexit on British-Irish relations.


“Fianna Fáil made a written submission to the House of Lords EU committee on the impact of Brexit on British-Irish relations, which outlined our concerns in relation to areas such Northern Ireland and the Common Travel Area. We have made it clear to Lord Jay that the recommendation included in the Report, for Ireland and the UK to draft a bi-lateral agreement as a strand of the Brexit negotiations, is not possible and will not occur,” added Deputy O’Brien.


“As I have continually noted, it is absolutely essential that the final agreement reflects our distinct and unique position in relation to Brexit, we are also seeking to stop further fragmentation of the EU and negotiating bi-lateral deals will undermine that objective.


“The negotiations ahead will be extremely complex but we must send out a clear message to our EU counterparts that Ireland’s place is remains within the EU and we are firmly committed to the principles upon which it was founded.”