Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, and her officials. We are glad she is here with us today because everything she is dealing with is very important, nothing more so than the whole question of Brexit. We salute the Minister of State on everything she achieved in phase one in December but now we are in the crucial phase, as my colleagues have just said. We have so much trade with Britain and through Britain to the Continent that it is vital. We know the United Kingdom is not going to remain in the Single Market or customs union but we have to have the closest possible relationship, as the Minister of State appreciates, and there has to be a customs union, in effect. Whatever it is to be called, be it an economic customs union, a partnership or otherwise, it will be vital to the European Union as much as the United Kingdom. I am sure the United Kingdom does not want to abandon the 500 million people in the European Union, so whatever has to happen must happen.

Anything is possible with politicians in negotiations. There will be a lot of bluster but we must not pay attention to that. It is a matter of what will happen behind closed doors in working out a solution. That is vital. I am sure the Minister of State appreciates fully that this is what we have to achieve. It is important for them but it is vital for us. I do not want to add any more at this stage.