Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his time, both today and during our consideration of the Brexit omnibus Bill, read on Second Stage yesterday. It is much appreciated. I can only imagine how busy his timetable is.

The Minister referred to the common travel area and the unique relationship between Britain and Ireland. Thankfully, on a very significant day for a maturing democracy, the people of Ireland voted in the mid-1980s to allow British citizens here to have a vote in a general election. The British were far ahead of us in that the Irish in Britain got to vote many decades sooner. In one sense, the cultural, social and economic ties between the North and the Republic are closer than the ties between the north of England, such as Yorkshire, and the rest of England might be. It is a unique set of circumstances and it is not of our making. Ireland is the new frontier of the EU in the sense of protecting the integrity of the EU, with all its complexities and challenges.

I really welcome what the Minister said about the Erasmus scheme. Some ingenuity, generosity and inclusivity have been applied. Even if the students from the North have to register with a university in the Republic, they are not being deprived.

The €5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve targets sectors and member states impacted most disproportionately by Brexit. Ultimately and legally, it is the EU versus the United Kingdom, and we have put our trust in the EU. For instance, Mr. Michel Barnier, rather than a senior Irishman, is directly on the front line. We are the EU. There has been great generosity on the EU's part in respect of the protocols. Apart from that, has a lot been done for the special categorisation of the Republic of Ireland? Is the Minister confident we will get the lion's share of the €5 billion? Ireland will be the member state most adversely impacted. Does the Minister trust and hope we will get the funding? Does he get reassurances? I am sure the EU will not sign off on this without Ireland on board if, as I hope, there is to be a deal.

Also on the question of the €5 billion, will there be an ongoing fund to help us owing to the inconvenience, disruption and disturbance Brexit will cause — but not of our making — as we become the new frontier of the EU? Even if there is a seamless agreement or soft Brexit, there will be many challenges for the State and for so many businesses. As the Minister said, 40,000 businesses trade regularly with the UK. We have a special relationship, and I am aware that the Minister is aware of that.

I detect the goodwill in the Houses of the Oireachtas. They are two Houses that know when to disagree with the Minister, and they would let him know about it. There is considerable good-will directed towards the team led by the Minister, but that does not mean that we cannot at all times seek assurances and reassurances. We are very grateful for the good work he is doing.