Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome the Commissioner and his team, including Dermot Ryan, who is a member of his cabinet. He has given the most comprehensive response I have heard from anyone in respect of the future after Brexit. I am delighted that he is so knowledgeable about this and have confidence in him as our Commissioner. I know he is working for the European Commission but he can never forget where he came from. He is well aware that the common travel area has existed since 1922, comprising 499 km of open border. We are entering an impossible situation. It is uncharted waters. I asked President Hollande at the European Council last week whether he felt we should have a representative on the negotiating team. There is nobody from Ireland on it. It will be holding secret negotiations, will report to the Commission and the prime ministers and presidents but we have nobody monitoring the day to day negotiations and we are the most affected. We should have an observation or participation role. We are the only country with that border with the UK. I know the Commission will be involved in the negotiations which will go on for approximately two years after Article 50 kicks in next March. This is the most significant event since the foundation of the State. I am delighted that the senior members of the media will print the Commissioner's speech today and that the diplomatic corps representatives will have it too.