Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to welcome the Minister once again. I support much of the work that has been done in regard to the withdrawal deal that was agreed by the United Kingdom and the European Union. In regard to Northern Ireland, the nightmare scenario would be getting caught in d'Hondt or some of the other mechanisms that could have been enforced on us, such as a straight Border poll. A majority vote is certainly a more favourable outcome of the recent negotiations in terms of whether the North will choose to remain or not remain in the arrangements agreed with the EU.

The Minister is one of the front-line members of Government in the Brexit process, business being one of our premium concerns. Does she have any insight as to how the Europeans see the future for Ireland? Every day we hear talk of Scotland's situation and, in regard to the North, there is constant talk of a border poll. It seems that change is coming down the line, sooner or later. I am curious as to how our friends in Europe view the €15 billion or so per year, via subsidies, the block grant and whatever else, that is required to keep the North afloat. Looking down the line at how things may eventually gravitate, does the Minister see that we have friends in Europe who will put their money where their mouth is?