Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, and her officials. I also welcome the ambassadors and embassy staff to the meeting. It is important that we have dialogue with other EU member states to get an idea as to what is happening. Naturally, Brexit is our greatest challenge since the foundation of the State. There is general recognition that the restoration of the 500-km Border is not a practical proposal so it will not be supported by the Irish Republic or the United Kingdom, nor will it be maintained by the European Union. Even if there were a will to staff it, there would be immense difficulties, to say the least. It would not be acceptable to either side.

They would not be allowed to man such a border.

We are an island beyond an island so what options will we face? The Government must be prepared to look outside the box and see exactly what is practical. I am a former Minister of State with responsibility for trade and I was given responsibility by a former Taoiseach, Mr. Haughey, relating to the Single European Act. I appreciate everything is possible within these negotiations and compromises can be made. We should nevertheless look at the possibility of an economic zone within the European Union containing the United Kingdom and Ireland, both North and South. This would guarantee the future of trade, unimpeded, between both islands. That is absolutely vital to the interests of both islands. All trade from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland going outside that zone would be subject to whatever levies are agreed at the time and, naturally, the Republic would be part of the European Union and have the appropriate exemptions.

It is time for unique thinking in this. We should look at the possibility that because we are in a such a difficult position compared with any other of the remaining 26 countries, we are unique. In those circumstances, the Government must look at a different arrangement. It should consider all possibilities. What is in the best interests of this country and the United Kingdom? We share the UK's interests and a good deal for the United Kingdom is a good deal for Ireland. I also believe that unless there is a good deal for Ireland, we should do everything we can, whether that is vetoing the deal if it is not in our interest or negotiating it as far as possible. I know our officials are in Brussels working hard; I also know the Government and the Minister are working hard. We must absolutely state that Britain's removal from the European Union should not have a detrimental effect on Ireland. It is my wish and I know it is the wish of most people. It is a view shared by most of our friends at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Sligo at the weekend who were very anxious for a deal to be made in the best interests of both countries.