Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree the more likely scenario is a changed relationship between Britain and the European Union and that an accommodation will be reached. Ireland must be actively engaged in that process at European Council level, supporting the position of the British Government where we believe it is in our interests to do so. We may not agree with it on all of the issues being raised, but our overarching objective must be reaching an overall accommodation that will allow Britain to remain within the European Union. The alternative simply does not bear thinking about, as it may involve the reintroduction of tariffs and the need to immediately negotiate a bilateral trade arrangement between Ireland and the United Kingdom. That is not a space into which we want to go. We have a direct land border with part of the United Kingdom in the Six Counties. The issue is fundamental to our future economic interests and the ESRI's report makes a very important contribution to the debate. It highlights the key issues that need to be addressed. I support the Government's position in engaging constructively in the process, with a view to reaching an overall arrangement. I implore the Minister to ensure that, in the background, officials will work on the Brexit scenario.

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