Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is correct about going back to the young people. It is in my memory of those larger events. In the ongoing conversations about the reality of Brexit, young people have voiced concerns and effectively stated there are things that cannot change on our island. They do not have any memory of ways other than what they have experienced. They are not willing to go back and want the adults to sort it out. They have given us much time to sort it out and we are still working on that. Whatever the resolutions are, it would be important to have young people assist us in finding better solutions than we were able to do ourselves. Young people should be able to insist that they should have similar opportunities and the access that they have now.

On the Senator’s second question, it ultimately depends on how the change will happen. It will depend on whether there is an acceptance of the withdrawal agreement as it is, or a long extension is granted to the withdrawal or there is a no-deal crash-out. Each will have a different economic impact. I have just come from an extended conversation about these issues at the Cabinet. The Government is aware that the economic impact of whatever will happen will be massive. We have to figure out a way to ensure that not only are we able to find ways to build on the positive economic changes we have had for some time, but also to build on the social changes, as well as finding the resources to continue to do so.

Can we absolutely guarantee this? I do not know if we can guarantee anything at the moment, certainly in terms of the resources which would be available for such work. Our EU membership is our greatest protection from the challenges that Brexit will bring. Whatever way the exit happens, we will depend on our membership of the EU and look for new ways as to how this membership will assist us economically, as well as socially.