Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, we had statements on last Friday's vote by Britain to leave the European Union. The Taoiseach, during a lengthy contribution, said he regretted that decision and hoped the gains of the past two decades with regard to North-South co-operation were fully protected. While I welcome his comments in this regard, at no point in his contribution did he acknowledge that the North had voted to remain, nor did the Fianna Fáil leader, excluding one passing comment the purpose of which was to attack Sinn Féin's demand for a referendum on Irish unity. Indeed, we had the bizarre situation where a leader of a so-called republican party advocates support for the Scottish Government's position of not being dragged out of the EU but does not support the same position for part of this country that voted to remain.

It is incumbent on the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and the Government in the wake of Brexit to respect the wishes of the electorate in the North. The result of last week's referendum will have huge implications for the island, the peace process, the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the ongoing stability and welfare of communities across the North of Ireland. There are also very real practical difficulties citizens will face. Take the case of students from the South attending university in the North. What about those who travel across the Border frequently for business or who live in Border regions and criss-cross the Border for their social and family life? What about those who live in the North and work in the South?

The British establishment, who barely mentioned the North during the course of the Brexit campaign, do not understand the seriousness of these issues. There is now a huge responsibility on the Irish Government to think nationally, and I mean that in the real sense of the word. I mean 32 county-wide. It means ensuring full co-operation between the Government and the Northern Executive. That means working to promote the interests of the whole island and the North in particular in negotiations at EU level. It means supporting the right of Ministers in the North to deal directly with the EU institutions. The people of the North have the right to have their voice heard and their vote respected. Will the Tánaiste support those measures that I have outlined and commit to ensuring that proposals for co-operation are brought to the North-South Ministerial Council meeting next Monday?

See this speech in context