Brexit: Flanagan hopes benefit changes won’t hurt Irish in Britain

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has expressed confidence that Irish people working in Britain will not be disadvantaged by changes to the British benefits system should the UK vote to remain in the European Union.

The Government is concerned that a concession granted by the EU to Britain whereby it could restrict tax credit benefits to specific categories of migrants working in Britain might also have to apply to Irish people working there.

There is concern that allowing Irish workers in Britain such an exemption could be judged by Brussels to be in breach of EU law.

Mr Flanagan, who was in Belfast on Wednesday for a series of engagements, said it was an "important issue" that must be resolved.

He said he had already raised the matter with British foreign secretary Philip Hammond while "the Taoiseach has raised this issue continuously in his engagement with prime minister Cameron".

“I am confident that this issue will be addressed in a way that no Irish person will be at any disadvantage,” said Mr Flanagan.

‘Constructive members’

On next month's Brexit referendum, Mr Flanagan said while he did not wish to tell people in Northern Ireland how to vote "my Government is clear we wish the UK and Northern Ireland to remain active and constructive members of the European Union".

On Thursday Mr Flanagan will continue on the theme of Europe when in Dublin he delivers the opening keynote address at an Institute of European and International Affairs conference on "Brexit: A Risky Business".

Mr Flanagan said “the effectiveness, the internal balance and the credibility of the EU itself would be damaged by a British departure”.

“Much has been said about the economic and Northern Ireland dimensions of a possible withdrawal by the UK from the EU, and quite rightly,” he said. “While these are issues of paramount importance in the debate, particularly from an Irish standpoint, it is important not to lose sight of the valuable role of the UK within the European Union and the need for this to be addressed in the debate.”

In his first visit to Northern Ireland since he was re-appointed to the ministry, Mr Flanagan met Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, the new DUP Assembly speaker Robin Newton, the North's victims commissioner Judith Thompson, UN special rapporteur Pablo de Greiff, Ardoyne community representatives and the president of the Irish Football Association Jim Shaw.

In north Belfast he met Holy Cross priest Fr Gary Donegan and local community representatives including Joanne McGibbon whose husband Michael was killed in a so-called punishment shooting carried out by the "New IRA" in Ardoyne last month.

During the day he also held discussions about issues such as dealing with the legacy of the Troubles and the current negotiations aimed at agreeing a programme for government and forming the next Northern Executive.