Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The North-South meeting which took place was one of the formal structures on waterways. The North-South bodies are limited anyway, and we would like for there to be more of them. It is important, however, to note that meeting did happen. I share fully the Deputy's concerns regarding North-South relations. It is important to keep everything on an even keel in that respect. This situation has clearly interrupted that endeavour. There are many other threats to the peace process in Northern Ireland, but what has happened has shown us that if something in this vein occurs, then it can cause immediate harm.

When I said we cannot move on from this, my point was that at this particular moment we cannot accept people just putting their hands up and saying everything is now fine. Clearly, it is not fine right now. Deputy Haughey is correct, though, that we need to move forward. People calling for the protocol to be abolished must realise that is not going to happen, and that is a fact. The protocol is a legal agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union and it is not going to be abolished. Ultimately, these problems have been caused by Brexit. The protocol exists and is designed to alleviate the problems of Brexit.

Trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain is about where it was previously. It has not gone down. Some of that is possibly a reflection of trade coming here, and there has definitely been some movement from Dublin to Belfast. It may seem, therefore, that trade is down.

In actual numbers, however, it is not; it is at a similar level. It is important to remember that there is a huge amount of trade getting through between Northern Ireland and Britain, as well a lot of people doing works. Even after the threats last week, which were repulsive and are to be condemned, a great number of checks still were happening because much of this is done on a documentary basis. There are issues, however, that are causing annoyance. They can be dealt with within the structures of the protocol that might help the situation but that does not mean that the protocol is going to be changed. The UK has set out some things it is asking for some of which reflect demands in the North, including businesses there. Modest extensions of the existing grace periods would definitely help reassure the business sector and moderate voices and Northern society broadly that they are being listened to and that we genuinely want to make the protocol work for every section of the community in Northern Ireland. That is important to all of us.

It is not about winners and losers but about trying to make the best possible situation out of what is a very difficult scenario in Northern Ireland at present. I am convinced that if we can get over the current difficulties, recognising that a great deal of trade is happening and that many goods can come in, we can solve some of the issues the Deputy raised. I cannot give any commitments on them but I know some can be resolved. Some cause particular anxiety, such as the issue concerning pets. The Alliance Party proposed a veterinary agreement between the EU and Britain and that certainly is in the range of possibilities in the medium term. It is not something that will provide immediate answers but it is something with which we would have no difficulties whatsoever. We want to make this work and work for everybody.