Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Lord Alderdice. His comments were very enlightening and his vast experience is evident from his words. I would like to get his opinion on the current political status following the Westminster election. If he had been here three weeks ago, would any of his contribution have been different? Does the current political situation determine his outlook in a way that is different from his outlook before the election? I assume he is no different from ourselves, in that we did not see the result we were handed coming down the line. In view of the ongoing negotiations between the DUP and the Conservatives, and given Lord Alderdice pointed to the possibility of a worst-case scenario if the Assembly cannot be re-formed, what effect would that have for the island from a Brexit perspective? I hope it does not happen but we have to ask the question as to whether Northern Ireland might revert to direct rule, while the DUP is part of supporting the minority Conservative Government during that situation of direct rule. To use an old phrase, where would the tail stop wagging the dog in that situation? I can imagine it would have terrible consequences for the Good Friday Agreement and it certainly would not help our collective wish for a soft Brexit for the island. Perhaps Lord Alderdice can tease that out.

Before the election result, from an Irish point of view and in hoping for the best from the Brexit negotiation, I would have seen "no deal is better than a bad deal" and a Conservative Government with an overall majority as being our worst-case scenario. Now, given Theresa May's overall majority never happened and she is weakened to a certain extent, many are saying that this has to work to Ireland's advantage. However, I have a fear that the enemy in the room under those circumstances could be our colleagues within the 27, in that they now see the UK in a weaker position and they see an opportunity to teach a lesson to somebody who wants to leave the classroom before the bell goes. Therefore, they could go for an even harder Brexit than had been anticipated, now they have the opportunity, and we could be the big losers.

While we are only one of 27, we have had kind words from everybody who speaks in any position of authority or otherwise, but kind words do not wash when it gets down to the nitty-gritty. We have no commitment from anybody, despite what they have said about what we deserve and should get. I would like to hear Lord Alderdice's opinion on my fear that our worst enemy may be our own side, in the sense that they may go for the jugular by virtue of the fact the UK is in a weakened position.