Neale Richmond (Fine Gael)
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I thank Mr. Russell for his very frank and forthright remarks. They are extremely welcome. I welcome him to this meeting and commend the work of the Scottish Office in Dublin on all it has been doing over the past few trying months in this area, and in developing other positive areas.

Mr. Russell mentioned the idea of a Celtic arc and one of his colleagues has imaginatively discussed a bridge from Scotland to Northern Ireland. That is well and good as something to aspire to but there is already obvious common ground between our two countries, in financial services, the arts, higher education and sport, that goes beyond the historical and cultural ties. I say that as a proud Ulster Scot of the Graham clan. How do we develop this post-Brexit? How does Mr. Russell view the end point, March 2019, when this delightful event comes to pass? What exactly does the lack of consent mean in respect of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly? I know it is a matter of course and is usually taken for granted but what would its impact be? Has the Scottish Government received any direct response to the First Minister's letter to Prime Minister May?

Brexit is an absolute disaster. There is no such thing as a good Brexit, for Ireland, Scotland, the EU or the UK as a whole. Senator Feighan has a great expression, the UK has gone and shot itself in Ireland's foot. My sympathies are with the Scottish people, because the English managed to get both of their feet and maybe a knee. The noise coming from Westminster is increasingly frustrating and the accusations being made of the Irish Government, the Irish people and the European negotiating team are scandalous. The hardline ideological Brexiteers who will not be materially affected by Brexit are stirring things up beyond their remit and making them worse for their constituents. If the UK leaves without a deal and the economy comes crashing down they will remain personally comfortable but their constituents will see factories close, foodstuffs rotting in the ground and animals stuck in ports. Every time we listen to British media and hear that noise coming from the extreme wing of certain parties it makes us blue in the face.

The European Commission and the Irish Government, which is Europe in this matter, take in absolute good faith, and want to proceed with, what was agreed twice in December, despite what happened in the week between. The lack of detail coming from the British Government, the sheer confusion and offensive language from supporters of that Government within the British Parliament make it extremely difficult for everyone to continue in a rational, reasonable way. We did not ask for Brexit. We do not want it. We cannot be expected to tell the British Government how it can develop its policy or how the Border will be enforced. The best situation is for the UK to remain within the EU. After that it is for the UK to remain within the customs union and the Single Market, and to maintain as close a relationship as possible. The Irish Government and the European negotiating team are desperate for a level of detail and understanding from the British Government that have not been forthcoming at any stage in the process. This was first requested back in July. A deadline was missed in October and in November, and a deal was made in December that will define the rest of the negotiations. I appeal to the Scottish Government and members of Mr. Russell's party in Westminster to keep the pressure up, be that within Westminster or at the committee Mr. Russell sits on. A deal has to happen. I do not mean to be dramatic but if there is no deal the sky will metaphorically fall in.