Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely, but without a request for an extension to the current arrangement, or something else being put in its place, a no-deal Brexit will not necessarily be prevented from happening. We need to focus on trying to avoid that situation. At the same time, we have to wait to see what the UK will bring forward. It will probably be September before that happens because it will take a period of time - most likely up until the end of July - for a new Prime Minister to be elected. It is possible that discussions will not resume until September.

Senator Craughwell asked about Brexit preparedness. A meeting of the Brexit stakeholder forum took place this morning. Such meetings have taken place on a regular basis for the past two years. It is heartening to hear that in certain sectors, there is a level of preparedness of between 80% and 90%. It is very difficult for sectors of industry to prepare fully without knowing what the future relationship will be. The issue of transportation and haulage across the landbridge continues to be raised. Some larger companies in certain sectors of industry have already been able to change direction away from the landbridge. It is likely that they will not go back to the landbridge even if things change and a softer Brexit is agreed. Such a change is possible with larger companies, although not necessarily with smaller companies. We are acutely aware of this issue, particularly given that some sailings are 20, 40 or 60 hours. Such sailings will not be able to support the transportation of fresh flowers, particular types of fruit and vegetables and other produce. We are very aware of that. We do not know what type of future relationship there will be, what the landbridge will look like and what kinds of timelines through the UK we are talking about. We can prepare as much as possible, but it is very difficult. We are asking businesses and individuals to look at seven key steps for getting ready. Much of this work does not involve a cost, which is extremely important. It is not being discussed as much as it was a few months ago, but I encourage everybody to try to engage with it as much as they can in their own constituencies and counties to make sure people still have it on their agenda.

I was also asked about the overall position following last week's elections. We are looking at a different composition across the leading groups - the European People's Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats - because they have come down in numbers. With regard to our own position here, I wish all of our new MEPs every success. According to the most recent survey, which was carried out by European Movement Ireland and Red C, our overall support for the EU increased last year from 92% to 93% and support for the EU among young people between the ages of 18 and 26 increased from 96% to 97%. This continuing strong support was reflected in the elections that took place last week. We will do our best to ensure it is reflected in our contributions in the European Parliament, at the General Affairs Council and at the Foreign Affairs Council.

It seems to me, based on my engagement with colleagues at the General Affairs Council and elsewhere, that there is no appetite for the reopening of the withdrawal agreement. In terms of the Border, we need to be clear that we will not be dragged or taken out of the Single Market or the customs union with the UK if it goes. We need to ensure that does not happen. We need to protect the Single Market and the customs union without putting in place a border between the North and the South. That is very complex and difficult. It will not be good overall in terms of our economy. We are working intensively with the Commission on this. Before the previous deadline, the Commission travelled to Ireland, in the same way that it travelled to other member states, to discuss a number of things. We will continue to engage with it in this regard.