Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The fallout from Brexit has cast a long shadow over the budget plans because of the international uncertainty caused by the UK's decision to part company with the EU. If the British economy goes into recession, would the Taoiseach agree that it will make matters difficult for us here - difficult for Irish businesses and farmers whose main market is the UK, and difficult for the tourism industry because of the weak pound? We will have a mighty job, and they will have a mighty job in the UK as well, to avoid a recession both in Europe and in the UK.

In that context, Deputy Kenny's status as Taoiseach has been badly damaged and diminished in recent days. First, a number of his Ministers are in open revolt over a stated policy by the Taoiseach. Second, the cack-handed way in which the Taoiseach approached the issue of the North-South Ministerial Council, where he had his proposals trailed in the media over the weekend before discussing them with the First Minister, was a mistake, because we will need all-island forums to discuss this. Lastly, at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly this weekend there was fairly unanimous agreement that there should not be a hard land border between the North of Ireland and the Republic. Would the Taoiseach agree with that? Some weeks ago, when I said I had some doubts that the Remain side would prevail, I asked the Taoiseach whether he had a plan B. I did not hear a plan B in the long list the Taoiseach read out.

I think I heard a tone of panic though.

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