Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Morrow for his presentation. The good wine was kept until the end. It is the first time I have heard the suggestion he made in all the discussions that have taken place. That is the key point I will take from what he had to say. When we were in Brussels during the week, we heard that Ireland has a dramatic position in the EU. The EU started out as the European Economic Community, EEC, but, as I have stated here previously, that acronym should refer to "extraordinary exceptional circumstances". If we consider the modern period of the EU, there have been extraordinary and unique circumstances. As a Deputy who represents a party that is not in government, I was a bit sceptical at the outset of the process of civil dialogue, but, to be fair, the process has been exceptional. With the exception of what Dr. Morrow said at the end of his contribution, the process of identifying the strands, the threads and issues have been dealt with. We should take on board what he has said with respect to setting up a process to make sure that there is a reconciliation because that is what community is about. That is what this whole process is about. It is about people.

On foot of my visit as part of a delegation to Brussels this week, I am confident that in the triggering of Article 50, while not happy with the British situation, the issue of the Good Friday Agreement and the understanding Brussels has of it and the peace process, will be recognised from the outset as soon as this article is triggered.

The sooner that happens, the better because it has created a vacuum. Dr. Morrow spoke of uncertainty; a vacuum creates uncertainty.

I thank Dr. Morrow for his presentation and support his comments. As I have stated on previous occasions, I lived through the Troubles and the peace process. I also remember when Ireland was not a member of the European Union, as will most of the older people present. The economy will suffer if there is any indication that communities may not engage. It would be a retrograde step to unravel the process of engagement, North and South. Much of this engagement and the work local authorities and communities have been doing along the Border have gone unsung.

Yesterday the heading in my local newspaper referred to the division of the diocese of Armagh. I had not thought of the implications of Brexit from the perspective of religious structures. New issues arise daily. While I do not wish to interfere in the political process in Britain, I do not believe the British realise what is coming down the tracks.