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

I see that the timetable in the Dáil is slipping. As such, there will be plenty of time for contributions.

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive report and welcome what she said about alliance building. Whether we like it, the United Kingdom is a major ally of the Republic of Ireland in the European Union and we will miss it and its support on a wide range of issues. I encourage the Minister of State in her endeavours in alliance building. There are issues of concern for us in that regard, as well as for other member states, be it in agriculture, taxation or defence matters. I welcome the solidarity expressed and the work the Minister of State and diplomats are doing to build new alliances following the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union. I also welcome the Minister of State's remarks on the rule of law. She said the European Union was based on shared values, including democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I encourage her in the stance she has taken, in particular on Poland and Hungary. The European elections are to be held in May and there is concern that the basic values of the European Union may be challenged in them. I hope citizens in this and other member states will reflect deeply on the type of European Union we want to see.

Will the Minister of State clarify an issue related to the multi-annual financial framework? In the event that there is a no-deal Brexit, what is the expectation in respect of the British contribution to the European Union? While it is provided for in the withdrawal agreement, what is the expectation, should the United Kingdom crash out, of what its contribution to the European Union will be in the next few years?

On preparations for Brexit, the Minister of State spoke about Dublin and Rosslare ports and said suitable sites for temporary infrastructure had been identified and that refurbishment work had commenced. She said space for truck parking had been secured at both locations. As a northside Deputy, I have a real worry about the Dublin Port tunnel. There are reports that it may have to close on occasion if there are backlogs. It is a major piece of transport infrastructure for the city and the country and if there is any hold-up whatsoever in the movement of trucks and other traffic through the tunnel, it will destroy traffic flows generally. It will disrupt traffic completely. I hope the line Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is conscious of this. It is the first thing people will realise when they are stuck in their car in much longer traffic jams. I hope that issue is being looked at by those who should be considering it.

I congratulate the Minister of State on her work at the citizens' dialogue on the future of Europe. The report presented concludes by drawing attention to the summit to be held in Romania to prepare the strategic agenda for the period 2019 to 2024. The document states that in advance of the summit Ireland will publish a statement on its strategic priorities for the European Union. I ask for an up-to-date report. The citizens who participated in the dialogue would like to know the results of their work and what the Government intends to do.