Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Commissioner on the manner in which he and his directorate-general have discharged their duties in respect of the agrifood sector throughout Europe, with the consequential benefit to Ireland. I wish them well in the future, particularly in the ongoing world trade negotiations. These are competitive, hostile waters. It is a whole new ball game with geopolitical issues and social issues arising daily. I offer my full support to the Commissioner to complete the negotiations to the eventual satisfaction of Europe and Ireland.

Brexit is the most significant issue the country has had to face in the past 50 years or is likely to face for a considerable time.

Various positions have been stated and I think the position adopted by the Irish Government is the correct one and must be maintained. The position adopted by the European Commission negotiators, Mr. Barnier and others, is also the correct one. Hopefully they will see that there are no alternatives. Our colleagues across the water have, sadly, adopted a policy that is not very progressive and it appears that they are waiting for everything to resolve itself in its own good time. It is not going to be that way and cannot be that way. It is of fundamental importance that there is a recognition that this issue is not going to go away. It is a matter for the British Government, which initiated their exit from the European Union. Nobody forced them to do it and it now falls to them to take the responsibility of ensuring that it is accommodated to this country, North and South. I ask the Commissioner to keep in mind the issues affecting the agrifood sector, North and South, because, in the 20 years since peace came to Northern Ireland, we have enjoyed an economic situation that we have not had before. To move from that would be a disaster.