Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Will the Taoiseach expand on the expected role he identified for key senior Irish officials on the European Commission Brexit team which, as he said, will conduct most of the negotiations? Has he considered appointing a personal envoy? That official could be a senior diplomat or a politician with senior status. I personally do not think the meetings that are happening which inevitably are not detailed but cover a lot of territory are sufficient in pursuing our interests as a country. I detected from before the summer a considerable softening in the Taoiseach's replies on his stance on the issue of a hard border. It seems to be a matter up for discussion.

On the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, those involved will be professional diplomats. Brexit, above all else, will be a monumental exercise in diplomatic negotiations, with politicians, by and large, coming in towards the end. A number of staff have been transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Department of the Taoiseach. Professional diplomacy, including among the ambassadors of the 27 member states resident in the Republic, including the United Kingdom, is equally important. As has been said by several Ministers, the view in Europe is that Ireland is an add-on to the British decision on Brexit. I do not believe the Taoiseach is stating clearly and strongly enough that we do not want to see a hard border: it is not acceptable and would not be workable for us.

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