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

I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate her and her ministerial colleagues for the work they have done at European level and in the context of Brexit. In particular, I congratulate Commissioner Phil Hogan on his continuation in what will be an important and challenging role for the next five years. This Commission and European Parliament will experience more challenges than have ever faced Europe since the formation of the European Union. We wish them well because that is what will be required.

I refer to the necessity for continued support for the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, on the basis that our agrifood sector is as important to us as engineering and motor manufacturing sectors are to other countries in that it is indigenous and self-sufficient. As there is minimum importation and maximum exportation related to it is crucial to our economy.

We congratulate and support the Minister of State on the enlargement process as it currently stands.

Regarding Brexit, we have to acknowledge the support from all political parties and none in this country. They recognise the importance of Brexit from an Irish perspective and we have to congratulate them on that. We must acknowledge the tremendous work of the European Commission, in particular the negotiators, and recognise the time, energy and diplomacy invested in the issue by our colleagues in Europe.

My view on Brexit is so far, so good but I am not optimistic. I am concerned for this reason. From the outset, the Good Friday Agreement was seen as a crucial element that could not be interfered with in any way in the future simply because of the tragic experiences we had in this island of Ireland for many years. The agreement was reached after a long, drawn-out process that many of us thought would never come to a conclusion. For anybody to suggest interfering with that or weakening it is sad.

Another issue worries me slightly. How stands international agreement from now on? To what extent do we honour international agreements? Presumably, we honour them in letter and in spirit. If we deviate from that, there is no sense in having international agreements or agreements that are entered into by governments on behalf of the people. What happens if somebody comes along and says, "By the way, all of that is changed as of now"?.

The island of Ireland as an economic entity remaining within the customs union and the Single Market would be the best outcome for Brexit if there was to be a better outcome. I implore all involved to stick to that.

I am amazed by the suggestion about a border. Those of us on both sides of this island love talking about a border and that we do not want a border but the suggestion recently is that we should have two or three borders. Presumably, the negotiating tactic would be that one or other of those borders might be removed as a means of enticing agreement.

This is a particularly challenging and difficult time and much will remain to be dealt with in a year's time. It is not something that will go away overnight or in a discussion between now and Christmas. This is a serious issue for the island of Ireland and the European Union and it is very serious, and this has not been debated adequately, for the United Kingdom. It is not in the interest of this country to have the United Kingdom in a disadvantageous position as a result of a decision taken by whomsoever.

We hope the solidarity that has been the hallmark of debates and discussions on Brexit remains. If it does, I believe the outcome will be the best that can be achieved regardless of what else is on offer.