Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. It is wonderful to have the Cabinet Secretary in person. It is wonderful to have anyone here in person, but particularly Mr. Robertson after the past couple of years. Those of us who were in the previous Oireachtas had a very good relationship with his predecessors across a multitude of roles, both Mr. Mike Russell and Ms Fiona Hyslop, who, I know, play a different but continuing role in Scottish politics.

I want to go straight into four key questions leading on from Mr. Robertson’s remarks. The first two are specifically kind of Brexit-related issues. From engagements we had with his predecessors, it was obvious that there was a clear disconnect between the Westminster Government and the devolved administrations. Much of this was happening at the time when the Northern Ireland Executive had collapsed and Stormont was not in position, but there was also an inability on the part of the Scottish and Welsh Governments to influence the decisions is one area but, more importantly, to influence the implementation of decisions and deal with the practicalities. Could Mr. Robertson give, if possible, a brief synopsis of where that relationship stands in terms of London working with Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast?

The second aspect, which is also in respect of Brexit, relates to the practical implications of the protocol for Scottish ports and what sort of effect it has had. We can go into the macro issues of trading impacts and relationships, but I am interested in terms of actual responsibilities, such as the levels of traffic and things like that. We have obviously seen a drastic increase in direct shipping from this island to the Continent. Traffic across the land bridge, through Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke, has fallen dramatically.

Moving away from Brexit for once but tied absolutely to it, I am very intrigued about Scottish Government policy and where it may differ from overall UK Government policy. Pressing and timely, and Mr. Robertson referred to this, is the reception of refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. What is the Scottish Government’s position on how it will receive refugees fleeing conflict? How it will work with partners across the UK and with the EU, particularly Ireland? Questions were raised off the record by British ministers in relation to the impact of the common travel area in this regard. Those questions were misplaced. Scotland, like Ireland, has a very strong reputation as being a welcoming country. Huge efforts were made after the Brexit referendum by the Scottish Government, I believe by Ben Macpherson, Jenny Gilruth and other ministers, to specifically state to EU citizens that they are welcome. However, I am particularly concerned with the Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict. In the main, these are women and children. How does the Scottish Government view its role in this regard? Is it different from that of the London Government?

My final question also relates to the crisis in Ukraine. There has been much discussion of the possibility of fast-tracking Ukrainian accession to the EU. We had a lengthy discussion in private session, and the matter is not that straightforward. I wish to kind of play the hypothetical card. I think Mr. Robertson is game for it, but he can say if he is not. He mentioned that Scotland’s future constitutional discussion is a matter for the Scottish people. We in Ireland wholly recognise that it is not our discussion to get involved in. However, to what extent has Mr. Robertson’s Department looked at the Copenhagen criteria? Is it a matter of fact that it is his political desire as opposed to his ministerial desire to achieve Scottish independence? Accession to the EU would play a big part in that.