MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan and the staff of his department have a lot of work ahead.
The Minister recently made a statement to the Dáil outlining the most important duties for the Irish government post-Brexit and the issues of Northern Ireland, British- Irish relations, supporting the Irish abroad and passport services are all high on the list of priorities.
Here are a few of the most important things Minister Flanagan had to say:
1. First things first, Ireland is staying put in the EU
"Ireland is - and will remain – closely aligned to both the EU and the UK. Ireland will of course remain in the EU and in the Eurozone, while we will also do everything to protect our political, economic and people-to-people links to the UK."
2. Post Brexit, the North of Ireland is now an urgent priority
"The fact that 56% of those who voted in Northern Ireland to remain are now faced with the prospect of their preference being set aside as a result of the overall result across the UK raises profound issues, as it does in Scotland.
I know there are very many people in the North – both of the nationalist and unionist traditions – who are deeply concerned that, despite its expressed will, Northern Ireland will now find itself outside of the European Union and deprived of the EU scaffolding that has provided such support for the progress made on this island over recent decades."
3. What about a border poll? Is it time to put a vote to the people on a united Ireland?
" At present, there is no convincing evidence to suggest that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland would opt for a change in its constitutional status....Rather than focus on a border poll, I believe that our immediate strategy should be to sit down with the British Government and with the Northern Ireland Executive and to urgently discuss how collectively we are together going to protect the gains of the last decades and to prevent the worst effects of a UK departure from the EU. As far as I am aware, no major party in Northern Ireland wants to see the re-imposition of a hard border on the island; they all want to see a continuation of freedom of movement of trade, services and people on the island."
4. Border issues may change...and that could impact the Peace process
"I accept of course that future arrangements in regard to the border on this island will not exclusively be determined by the combined wishes of the Irish Government, the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. They will also be influenced by the wider negotiations between the UK and the EU of 27 remaining Member States. One of our challenges, therefore, will be for Ireland to use its influence with our EU partners to persuade them of the need for specific arrangements which protect the key gains of the peace process on this island – a process to which the EU has already made a key contribution."
5. Flanagan wants to reassure the Irish abroad that they won't be cut off from home
"I extend my thanks to the vibrant Irish community in the UK who made a very valuable contribution to the debate with many, including Irish4Europe, working tirelessly to stress the Irish perspective and to inform and involve the Irish community. I know that among the Irish community in Britain, many are now worried about their future. The Government, including my Department and Minister of State Joe McHugh, is acutely conscious of their concerns and I want to assure our citizens in the UK that we will continue to advocate for and defend their interests in the time ahead, with particular reference to the Common Travel Area."
6. Hey UK - what's the rush with our passports?
"There is therefore absolutely no urgency for UK citizens, who may also be Irish citizens, in now applying for Irish passports...An unnecessary surge in applications for Irish passports will place significant pressure on the system and on turnaround times and is likely to impact those with a genuine need for passports to facilitate imminent travel plans. I urge those who believe they need to apply for an Irish passport immediately to enjoy free travel in the EU, to take full account of the facts before making an application."
7. Finally, everybody chill
"We must all stress that the UK is not leaving the EU immediately and that all arrangements, rights and facilities linked to EU membership still apply in full. A negotiation process will get underway and will take a minimum of two years prior to a UK exit. During that time the UK remains an EU member state."
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