Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies for the technical difficulties earlier. I welcome the Minister and thank him for taking the time out of his busy schedule to update us on where things are in relation to Brexit. For someone from the outside looking in on all of this, it must be hugely frustrating to be dealing with this particular issue. Following the Chair's comments, where would the Minister rate the current relationship with the British Government, on a scale of one to ten?

Perhaps he has just answered that question. In many ways, for somebody from the outside, who does not know all the facts, looking in, it is like dealing with a spoilt child in that they keep putting the hand out for more. When is a deal a deal? When is a deal finally sealed? Everyone thought this was all done and dusted, tied up legally between the two parliaments. We thought the deal was done. Here we are now renegotiating again.

It could be argued that the tactic employed by the UK has been very rewarding as far as it is concerned. It seems to be a case that the EU negotiating team keeps on giving. If I were part of the UK negotiating team, I would want more of the same because it seems to be paying off. For how long will this process go on?

Another question relates to the positives that Northern Ireland would enjoy vis-à-vis the protocol, which the Minister touched on. It puts Northern Ireland in a unique trading position whereby it can trade unencumbered and have access to the EU market, while at the same time trade within the UK and be part of any future trade agreements the UK may negotiate. There has been some evidence of that unique position already. There have been two major job announcements recently, one announced by Coca-Cola in regard to a large number of jobs being created in Belfast, and one by Almac in Craigavon which is creating 1,000 jobs over the coming three to five year period. In regard to that, Craigavon is approximately half an hour to 45 minutes from Monaghan town. As someone who comes from a Border constituency, I wonder should we be making more of those job announcements in Northern Ireland. It is a good story to tell, not just from a Northern Ireland perspective but for those of us who live in Border counties, including my colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly. It is not that long a journey to travel from Monaghan town, north Monaghan or even Cavan to Craigavon. There are benefits for the Border community, if not for the island as a whole. Should we make more hay, if you like, out of those announcements? Should we market ourselves across the EU and across the globe, based on Northern Ireland's position, from an all-Ireland perspective? We could benefit from that unique trading relationship Northern Ireland currently has.

My final point is somewhat connected. The Minister might use his good offices to talk to the relevant people north of the Border. In early January the minimum unit price on alcohol will come into effect. For those who live along the Border, many retailers fear that day coming. We are all in favour of the minimum unit price on alcohol coming in. It has proven beneficial in Scotland in that it has had the desired effect. It was my understanding that this issue was going to be tackled on an all-island basis.