Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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We have not really done so. Legal advice may have been sought and perhaps it may have been shared with the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I am not aware of that, but I can check. Senator Craughwell is raising an issue relating to a British political decision being implemented by the British Government that will be overseen by the UK courts. The issue of legal advice does not arise immediately for me, but I will check that for the Senator. We are not going to go down any avenue that might indicate any uncertainly regarding the status of the Good Friday Agreement, because there is no such uncertainty.

Senator Craughwell is right about ports. We need to give greater recognition to the role our ports can play in future. We are ahead of the game in that regard not for reasons of Brexit but because some years ago the boards of the various ports, as well as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, recognised the need to invest more in our ports. As a result, the Alexandra Basin project is under way in the constituency of Deputy O'Sullivan and myself. When that is complete, Dublin Port will be able to handle the largest vessels in the world. The redevelopment of the Port of Cork is proceeding. My recollection is that it is at the planning stage. The idea is to move the location of the Port of Cork. Several other ports are involved in seeking to gain funding to strengthen their transport links.

I would not underestimate for a moment the role of Shannon Foynes as well.