Gerald Nash (Labour) | Oireachtas source

One of this committee's first engagements was with the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. I asked his views on the possibility of the State being required to hold a referendum. I am still trying to decipher what his response was. With all due respect, that is probably quite typical of him.

I thank Mr. Gilmore for his very thoughtful contribution. There was much interesting information and many suggestions in it. He brings much experience in that regard. I wish him continued success as EU special envoy to Colombia. It is extremely important work which he is enjoying immensely.

A referendum is likely to be required on any final agreement that may emerge from the negotiations. To our cost, cases are taken to the courts, as citizens are entitled to do, and the Government is forced into a referendum on a treaty change or a change that is considered to be a treaty change. For many reasons, there is something to be said politically for the Government to make the case for a referendum and the Oireachtas to decide to if it should be held. It is welcome that Mr. Gilmore put that on the agenda and spoke very coherently about why that should be the case.

The alacrity with which those on the remain side in the UK, in particular the UK Labour Party, have folded the tent and decided to allow Theresa May and others a free run to argue for a likely hard Brexit is very alarming. When the reality of what the UK will face hits home, it will inevitably open up ground for further consideration of the prospect of a referendum on a final agreement. I hope that clear-minded people in the UK will continue to consider that option and to campaign and advocate for it because this match is not over by a long shot and when reality hits home, the prospect of a final referendum on a withdrawal agreement, or whatever emerges from the process, will hover into view. It will remain on the agenda but it beggars belief that it is not being given more consideration.

Mr. Michel Barnier, chief negotiator of the task force for the preparation and conduct of negotiations with the United Kingdom, said earlier today to the Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann sitting in joint committee that we have to speak the truth. The departure of the UK from the EU will have consequences. Customs controls are part of EU border management. To a point, he was stating the obvious. For example, Mr. Gilmore is well aware of concerns in my constituency about a possible return to a hard Border, physical customs posts and all the disruption that would entail. While Brexit will have general trade implications, the Border counties in particular are exposed. The reintroduction of Border and customs posts would raise the spectre of a very painful past for people in Border communities North and South. What would the optimum arrangement be for Ireland in the context of trade and ameliorating some of the worst effects of the prospective reintroduction of customs controls? How can we ensure minimal disruption for the continuation of the trade and free trade that we currently enjoy, notwithstanding that there will be customs controls of one form or another post-Brexit?