Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No. It is parity of esteem all the way. I want to thank the Taoiseach for confirming that today is 24 May. One issue that has not been clarified is the implications of the EU-UK agreement as they apply to the Irish in Britain, including with regard to social welfare benefits. At the time of the agreement we were told such matters would be clarified. I have seen no paper on this and the implications have not been spelled out in advance in any shape or form. It is important that the Taoiseach clarify the matter and indicate to us the discussions he has had with the British Prime Minister, or that the Irish Government has had with the British Government, on what will be a very important issue. Recent articles suggest that the implications of an exit in terms of social benefits would be quite negative for the Irish in Britain and that the rights that had been assumed from time immemorial would no longer apply in terms of the EU-UK agreements.

Like everybody in this House, I want an affirmative vote - in other words, a vote for Britain to remain within the European Union.

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