Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am in agreement with much of what others have said. The big question in relation to the European Commission is how exactly it happened and in ensuring that it does not happen again. Whatever meetings in which the Government will be involved will be absolutely necessary. It is a case of finding out exactly what happened from the perspective of ensuring that there is no room for a move such as this again. We have all seen its outworkings. I agree with much of what others said that this is Brexit coming home to roost, unfortunately. From a unionist perspective, supporting it was absolute madness. It is the most destabilising thing they could have done from the point of view of the Union. So be it, that is done.

I welcome the Government's engagement on the need to retain the protocol. While we all accept that modifications were necessary and will be carried out, whether it relates to grace periods etc., we need that to be sorted, North and South. I welcome that the Government is taking on board issues brought to it by people involved in supply chain logistics and so on, as the Minister of State noted.

What I think has happened is that unionist politicians have looked at their polling numbers,know they are under pressure and are using tried and tested methods from the 1880s nearly or from the 1980s. If we accept that the Irish protocol and the withdrawal agreement are international agreements that are not going anywhere, it could be another case of leading people up the hill, which is not helpful. Nor is it helpful when one hears about Michael Gove's ultimatum letter or hears Arlene Foster speak of how she has Boris Johnson on side from the point of view of introducing legislation that would negate elements of the Irish protocol, as well as the fact that he might simply invoke Article 16. I have no doubt that the Government has engaged with the British Government on this issue. I would like to think the engagement is robust. I seek an update from the Minister of State on this issue.