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

The Good Friday Agreement to which the Tánaiste refers revolves around a concept of consent which has not been uncontroversial in Irish politics and history. I put it to the Tánaiste that it is not sufficient for her blithely to say she respects the vote of the UK. I have asked her to recognise and respect the vote of the people of the North of Ireland who, by a majority, voted to remain within the EU. I ask the Government what it proposes to do to honour and vindicate that democratic decision. The people of the North do not consent to Brexit. By democratic ballot, they have decided that they wish to remain. The Tánaiste should know that notwithstanding comments by the First Minister, the joint First Minister speaks for the majority when he says that he and his colleagues will defend and honour that democratic decision. I am asking the Tánaiste for more than a box-ticking or paper shuffling exercise. I want to know that concrete proposals will be brought forward at the meeting on Monday and that the Irish State and the Dublin Government will start from the position of the democratic wishes of the people of the North.

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