Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree broadly with what the Deputy says. I have read some incredible nonsense since the memorandum of understanding was agreed. Some of the commentary has been trite and uninformed. Some of the commentary from outside the State has been very odd. In fact, the deal has the potential to be a win-win for Britain and Ireland. I am interested in what Ireland Inc. gets from the deal, whose potential in terms of jobs, exploitation of unique indigenous resources and wealth creation is significant.

I cannot understand the commentary that the terms favour Britain. There are no terms in the memorandum of understanding, which is facilitative of the significant projects that private developers have assembled. They cannot trade with the neighbouring island unless that trade is facilitated by an intergovernmental agreement. I do not know how people can purport to make the kinds of comment I have read on the economic terms when they are not there yet. It is simply untrue to state that we will have wind turbines at every crossroads in Ireland. That is not happening and will not happen. I regret greatly that these things are being misrepresented.

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