Statement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on outcome of EU/UK negotiations

"Good evening, today’s announcement of a positive outcome in negotiations on the Protocol between the EU and the UK is most welcome.

"It is the result of a long and difficult process to find joint solutions, and I pay tribute to both teams who have worked hard and in good faith to bring us to this point. I also want to recognise the Northern Ireland parties for their constructive engagement.

"There is no doubt that Brexit has been disruptive to life on this island, especially in Northern Ireland. While the Protocol exists to minimise that disruption, to prevent a hard border and ensure free movement and free trade between North and South, its operation has resulted in some problems for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland. It has made trade between Britain and Northern Ireland more complicated.

"Today’s agreement provides solutions to those problems. Solutions that are agreed, workable and durable.

"If implemented, it will bring stability and certainty to a situation that has been in flux since the decision of the Brexit referendum, almost 7 years ago.

"I appreciate that people will want some time for close and careful review of the Windsor Framework. I hope that when they do, they will be able to give it their full support, and that it will lead to an early restoration of the Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland and also the North South Ministerial Council-allowing the Belfast/GFA to work again and to develop.

"I firmly believe that people in Northern Ireland do not want to return to divisions of the past. They want to make progress together. A shared future.

"Like people everywhere, they want political institutions to sort out the issues that matter in their daily lives – healthcare, the cost of living, housing, the economy.

"The agreement also paves the way for new and more positive relations between the UK and the EU and between the UK and Ireland.

"This is a time of great trouble in the world. We need to be partners and friends. There is so much more that unites us than divides us. We who have so much in common, so many shared interests and values, should be working together on the great challenges of our age – the war in Ukraine, inflation, climate action, defending democracy.

"This agreement also helps to restore and strengthen relations between Ireland and Great Britain. When we were both members of the EU, we met each other frequently and had more opportunities to work closely together. I look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Sunak how we can take relations between us, post-Brexit, to a new and more positive level.

"For now, my congratulations to President von der Leyen, Prime Minister Sunak and their teams. Our thanks to Vice-President of the Commission, Maros Sefcovic, who really got to know the people of Northern Ireland and to understand their concerns. His dedicated work is reflected in today’s agreement.

"For our part, the Irish Government will do all we can to make these new arrangements work in the interest of people and enterprises in Northern Ireland, here in the Republic of Ireland while protecting the European Single Market and the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the United Kingdom and the Good Friday Agreement.

"Tá áthas orm go bhfuil socrú nua in áit idir Aontas na hEorpa agus An Ríocht Aontaithe. Tá seans againn anois roinnt cinnteacht a thabhart don phobal, agus do lucht gnó ó thuaidh agus ó theas.

"Ta deis againn anois, díriú arís ar an gcairdeas domhain idir Eíreann agus an Bhreatain agus é a neartú.

"Tá spás cruthaithe anois, tá súil agam, ina mbeidh an phairlimint agus an ríaltas sa thuaisceart in ann teacht le chéile arís, agus dul i mbun a gcuid oibre.

"Go raibh maith agat."