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Minister Noonan discusses Brexit with Chancellor Hammond

Following the publication by Prime Minister May of the letter to President Tusk, in which Mrs. May gave notice of the intention of the UK to leave the European Union, the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D. today held a telephone call with his counterpart the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Mr. Philip Hammond. This call follows regular contact between the two finance Ministers including a visit by Minister Noonan to London in September 2016 and a visit by Chancellor Hammond to Dublin in January 2017. Minister Noonan and Chancellor Hammond also meet regularly at meetings of EU finance Ministers.
Speaking today following the call the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D. said:
“Chancellor Hammond and I had constructive discussion on the priorities in the forthcoming negotiations. I reminded Chancellor Hammond that Ireland remains fully committed to our Membership of the EU and we will be negotiating as part of the EU 27 in the negotiations ahead. We have strong relations with the EU and the UK and we are intent on maintaining both. We are very much in favour of the UK maintaining as close a relationship as they can with the European Union after the UK has left the union.”
“I welcomed Prime Minister May’s letter and statement which together highlighted the unique and historic relationship between UK and Ireland and made clear the priorities including the maintenance of the Common Travel Areas and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland”.
“We agreed that it was important that both parties within their respective roles in the negotiations work to ensure that the negotiations take place in an orderly way and that the UK withdrawal from the European Union occurs with minimal disruption to citizens and business.“

Notes for Editors
A statement has issued on behalf of the Government on the UK Government’s Notification under Article 50 - See more at:
http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Government_Statement_UK_Government_Notification_under_Article_50.html#sthash.fcBS7UES.dpuf