Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The people of the North clearly voted to remain in the EU and that democratic vote must be respected. I know that my colleague the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, made it clear to the Minister and the Taoiseach that the Six Counties leaving the EU is not a done deal and should not be considered a forgone conclusion. Seasfaidh Sinn Féin an fód do chearta mhuintir an Tuaiscirt sa cheist seo.

I welcome that the Government, following a call from Sinn Féin, stated its intention to establish a national forum to discuss the impact of the EU referendum. It is unfortunate that the DUP leader, First Minister, Arlene Foster, has stated that she does not believe such an important forum is necessary. I believe that, if needs be, the forum should still go ahead without that Unionist representation from the DUP if needs be. Ní dóigh liom gur chóir go mbeadh cead ag an DUP veto a bheith acu. The DUP should not have a veto on that. The Irish Government has a responsibility to think nationally, not only in terms of the Twenty-six Counties but for the island of Ireland. As a co-equal guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Government has a responsibility, to which the Minister referred, and it must be robust in asserting that. It is not just Sinn Féin or other parties here saying that. A robust, well articulated argument was made by Fintan O'Toole on the serious responsibilities the Irish Government has in upholding the manner in which the people in the North voted.

Will the Minister indicate whether the Government is still committed to a national forum? Will he act on behalf of all citizens to ensure that one part of Ireland does not end up outside the EU while the rest remains inside?

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