Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his briefing on the Bill. I acknowledge the work of our diplomats in Europe who, as the Tánaiste said, have put a huge amount of work and effort in the past few years.

I will take up the point made by Deputy Cullinane about the EU motor insurance directive. It will come as a surprise to many motorists that obligations will be placed on them in the event that there is a no-deal Brexit both for Irish motorists in the United Kingdom and British motorists coming here. The Government will need to be proactive and put some pressure on the insurance industry, if need be, to alert motorists to their obligations. The insurance companies could be required to contact their clients directly to make them aware of their obligations in the event that there is a no-deal Brexit. We need to be more proactive in that regard.

I presume the Oireachtas will pass this legislation which may not be needed. What will happen afterwards if it is not needed? I presume there will be commencement orders, or whatever else. Does the Tánaiste envisage the whole Bill being commenced? How will that work in practice in the event that there is a no-deal Brexit? Is it envisaged that there will be commencement orders?

The Tánaiste mentioned the budgetary implications. We have been told that there there will be no need for a supplementary budget this year. The Tánaiste also mentioned the rainy day fund. A no-deal Brexit will have devastating consequences for this country. It could impact on our economic growth, the public finances and so forth. Is it a definite commitment that there will not be a requirement for a supplementary budget this year in the event that Brexit takes place?

Will the Tánaiste assure us that the solidarity of the EU 27 is still holding? At one stage the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern made reference to eleventh hour wheeling and dealing in smoke-filled rooms. I presume there are still smoke-filled rooms in Europe. Will the Tánaiste assure us that the solidarity is holding and that we are not coming under any pressure to modify our position? There were comments from the Polish Foreign Minister which did not represent the views of the EU 27, but I would like such an assurance.

I know that the Tánaiste has taken an interest in the horse racing and bloodstock industry, particularly when he was Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but there was nothing in his contribution today about it. Is a lot of work needed to address the implications of a no-deal Brexit for the industry? Will the Tánaiste enlighten us on what needs to be done in that area.