The UK and EU have reached a new deal which both sides say mark a new chapter in their relationship. But what does it mean for Ireland?
Fisheries
The current fisheries deal is due to expire next year. It has seen Irish fishermen and women lose 25 percent of the amount they are allowed to catch in British waters.
That has hit the industry hard.
Now the EU and UK have agreed to extend the current deal by 12 years, until 2038.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said it gives the fishing industry certainty.
What happens after that will remain in the back of the minds of fishers. Meanwhile at least they are not facing further cuts.
The former Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius, called it a “real breakthrough”
“For too long, uncertainty has weighed heavily on our fishing communities. Today’s decision to extend access brings long overdue clarity and stability and it shows that when the EU and UK choose cooperation over confrontation, we can deliver real, lasting results.”
Security and defence
The set piece of the UK-EU summit on Monday was a new security and defence partnership. Eventually it should allow British defence companies to be part of join European military spending back by €150 billion loans from the European Commission.
There will also be closer UK-EU cooperation on security matters and on issues like coodinating sanctions against Russia.
The EU argues bringing Britain back into the fold will boost European security in uncertain times, which would be good for Ireland too.
Veterinary agreement
A deal will still need to be negotiated, by the UK and EU have committed to signing an SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) agreement.
That would allow the UK to much more easily sell agrifood products into the EU.
Importantly, it would also ease checks between Britain and Northern Ireland.
Some products, including some species of plants sold in garden centres, which have been unavailable since Brexit, could return to the shelves.
Erasmus+
The UK has indicated that it would like to rejoin the Erasmus youth mobility scheme. It will have to pay for ‘association status’ as a non EU member state. If a deal is struck, it could allow more Europeans to study in the UK and Brits to study in the EU.
The UK also wants to expand its Youth Experience Scheme, which it already offers to Australia and Canada, to EU students. Students will be allowed in limited numbers and for a limited duration of time which has yet to be confirmed.
Ireland has special arrangements with the UK, but the impact of the UK welcoming more EU students could impact Ireland indirectly.
Since Brexit, Ireland has reportedly benefited from an uptick in EU students choosing Ireland over the UK.
EU students studying in the UK will continue to have to pay international student fees, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said.
eGates
Keir Starmer said that part of the agreement included allowing Brits to use eGates to get through passport controls at ports and airports in Europe.
In fact, that will be a decision for each EU member state to make.
The Irish government says Dublin Airport already lets Brits use eGates here.
Irish government reaction
Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the UK-EU agreements which came out of the summit calling it a “landmark moment”.
“The UK is an important like-minded partner for the EU, and for Ireland, sharing our values and commitment to multilateralism and the international rules-based system. It is essential that we work in partnership to address global challenges. I therefore welcome the conclusion of the defence and security partnership between the EU and the UK at today’s summit.
“Building on the Windsor Framework, the agreements reached at today’s summit mark a new beginning in a positive and cooperative relationship between the EU and the UK, which is essential for the pursuit of many areas of Ireland’s national interest and is an important factor for stability in Northern Ireland.
“This is reflected in the common understanding agreed between the EU and the UK which sets out a positive agenda of work in many areas of interest to Ireland, including in the areas of fisheries, food standards, energy and people-to-people connections which will be mutually beneficial, offering enhanced opportunities for trade and investment, contributing to growth and prosperity.
“I welcome the commitment to negotiating an SPS Agreement that will see ongoing alignment between the EU and UK on food standards. This will be of great benefit to Ireland’s food and drink exporters, for which the UK remains a very important market.
“Today’s agreement also provides certainty to Ireland’s fishermen and women with the extension of reciprocal access for EU and UK vessels to fish in each other’s waters for another 12 years, enabling them to make long-term and sustainable decisions.
“The intention to reach agreements in the area of energy beyond the current EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement is also welcomed, including access to electricity markets and linking our Emission Trading Systems. This will lead to better outcomes for consumers and contribute significantly to realising EU and UK’s shared commitment to the green transition.
“Overall, a closer working relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom is good for Ireland, and for everyone.”