Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the MEPs for their interesting commentaries. The previous speaker did not want discuss Brexit but it is dominating all our thoughts, regardless whether we like it. I cannot fathom that Britain would countenance leaving the Union and a market of 500 million people without wanting what has become known as option A. While its representatives say that Britain will leave the customs union and the Single Market, something similar will have to be negotiated, whatever it is called. Phase 1 of the negotiations has concluded and we will not let them off the hook on that. They signed up to all the rules, regulations, treaties and so on and legal obligations have to be met on leaving the Union as well as acceding to it. They will, presumably, have to be observed and complied with. What do the MEPs think is the bottom line? As Ms Clune, said, Ireland does not want to give up the short sea route between Dover and Calais because it is essential to us. Whatever happens, there will have to be regulatory alignment, no matter what it is called.