Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I gather we have 20 minutes now to put some questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

At the outset, I welcome the decision of the Dáil today to set up the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs. The Dáil and Seanad have been in place for some weeks now and it was important to get that committee in place. We need to begin our deliberations on that committee as soon as possible, with Brexit being on the top of the agenda.

That committee was beefed up following the rejection of the Lisbon treaty referendum on the first occasion. It was given more powers because of the substantial amount of legislation coming from Europe and the lack of scrutiny taking place there. This question and answer session was also in response to the Lisbon treaty rejection, and also the Taoiseach coming in before a European Council meeting to report to the House. All those developments are particularly welcome.

I have a couple of questions. At this stage, what is the position on an all-island forum? There has been much discussion this afternoon during questions to the Taoiseach and, subsequently, in this debate. It is quite incredible that the Taoiseach did not run this idea past the First Minister over the weekend. Then it came as a surprise to everybody when she rejected it. Obviously, it should not have been a surprise. I really would like to know what will happen now. What mechanism will be put in place to ensure that the interests of all parties on this island are protected and what mechanism will be put in place to engage with stakeholders, social partners, civic society, etc.? Can the forum proceed without the DUP, and, if not, what framework will be put in place?

With the UK leaving the European Union, we have lost a vital ally in respect of a range of issues. I assume the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, was at the European Council meeting together with the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy.

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