Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I watched proceedings on a screen upstairs. I wish to mention one concern, on behalf of the Green Party. I disagree with Deputy Durkan's belief because there are differing views. Ireland is really concerned about Brexit. The visit by Michel Barnier here two weeks ago deepened my concern. I firmly believe a clear message has been given that the free movement of people on our island would be accommodated but there will be no flexibility on the European side in the trade of goods and services. That leaves us all in an incredibly difficult situation.

I do not agree with the Tories on anything. David Davis, the Tory Brexit negotiator, has said that the European Union is assisting us with the sequence. I do not believe that is right for us as a country. We have been told that the Irish Border issues will be examined first. One cannot resolve that unless one knows the wider trade issue in terms of goods and services. Perhaps the people issues will be dealt with first but the key critical issues, such as Irish agriculture, will not be dealt with.

I urge our European Parliamentarians, on our behalf, to tell their European colleagues that Ireland does not have to insist on a two-tier process. Why should we not start negotiations on some areas where we can get agreement, such as energy policy, climate and environmental standards, that are not part of the complex trade arrangements? We should start with some points of agreement. I believe that we are increasingly heading towards a crash-out Brexit process where we get no transitional deal. Ireland will be the worst affected in that regard. The Irish Government must go the European Council meeting on 22 June, presumably we will have a new Taoiseach by then, and start saying to our European colleagues that they must break away from this and that we will only negotiate on two strands. First, we have a very short timeline. Second, it risks a crash-out process. Third, it does not address the fundamental Irish issues on how we deal in trades and services. From what I heard Michel Barnier say, he will not allow any movement on this matter. The customs border will be the customs board if the UK is not in the customs union. That is a real concern of mine. We need to change strategy and policy in the sequencing of the talks. The UK will have to give up on everything because it does not have a negotiating position. It is not as I am saying we should yield to the UK. Why must we stick to the issue of sequencing? David Davis has said that it will be the row of the summer. If so, then Ireland should say: "Come on, step back from the cliff edge. The cliff edge does not suit us."