Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Vice President Timmermans is very welcome, and it is good to hear his views. My questions are largely tied in with those of the previous few speakers. We feel very European, as opposed to the British. However, as has been said, we have such a tie-in and connection with them, in respect of people and trade, with both the North and Britain, that we cannot ignore them, whether we like it or not. We have agreements with them going back to 1922, despite our history of having fought with them before that. All of this predates the EU, so it is natural that our Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister have had these meetings. I fully accept that we cannot have the bilateral arrangement to which Mr. Timmermans has referred. We wish to be on the European side in the negotiations. However, at the same time, Mr. Timmermans must appreciate that we must keep our free travel arrangement with Britain. As he said, this is a question of the hearts element of the notion of hearts and minds. I do not understand why Britain wants to leave both the Single Market and the customs union. I do not know how we will bridge this but I feel, from what Mr. Timmermans has said - I suppose this is natural - that until we get into the negotiations, it cannot be worked out. However, there is a willingness on his part and, I think, some of his colleagues to make the transition, although I do not know how. The fundamental question is whether he is confident it can successfully pan out.