Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when he or Ministers of his Department last met the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to discuss the Ireland Act 1949 and the rights of Irish citizens after the UK leaves the European Union.

The Secretary of State and I visited Dublin on 8 September 2016. While in Dublin, we had constructive talks with Charles Flanagan TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as with business leaders. Various issues were discussed, including the future of the border.

As set out in the letter the Secretary of State sent to the Honourable Gentleman on 29 November 2016 on this issue, it is the Government's intention to protect the existing rights enjoyed by UK and Irish nationals when in the other State, and to maintain existing border arrangements provided for by the Common Travel Area once the UK has left the EU. Leaders in the UK and Ireland have been unequivocal in their commitment to this shared intent.