Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Every time I listen to either a spokesperson from any of the negotiating teams, whether it is that of the Commission or the Parliament, or any British commentator, there seems to be a complete misunderstanding of how this will work out. As Deputy Adams has stated, Michel Barnier, when asked today if he believed there would be a hard border on the island of Ireland, replied, "The UK's decisions to leave the European Union will have consequences, in particular, perhaps, for what are the EU external borders". That would imply that his understanding is that there will have to be some sort of border on the island of Ireland, although he did go on to say that he is personally very well versed in the Good Friday Agreement. As Commissioner with responsibility for regional affairs, he was involved in negotiating funding for the PEACE programmes. He also said that the four freedoms of the Single Market are indivisible and that cherry picking is not an option. However, as we have seen from the photograph taken of officials leaving Downing Street last week, cherry picking or, as Britain would put it, having one's cake and eating it seems to be on someone's menu in the United Kingdom.

I have a number of questions. From speaking directly to Mr. Barnier, who is an astute and experienced European parliamentarian, Commissioner and politician, does the Taoiseach have any sense of where this will land? It cannot be that we will have free movement and a hard border, as both of these are incompatible. Has Mr. Barnier thought out or has the Taoiseach worked out some sort of mechanism that will achieve those two objectives which, on the face of it, are irreconcilable?

As we understand it, the triggering of the exit of the United Kingdom under the mechanism provided for in article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is to happen by the end of March 2017. Mr. Barnier stated that the process should be completed by October 2018 in order to get the timeframe within the two years so that it is endorsed by the European Parliament. Most people who have examined the process, including all the leaks from Britain, would say that October 2018 is an impossible deadline given all the complications associated with the negotiations. There is also the prospect of an interim arrangement. How will the issues on the table, which are on the face of it irreconcilable, be addressed? What is the Taoiseach's view of the timing aspect? Will there be, if one likes, an interim solution? Is that now the preferred option? Does the Taoiseach have any thoughts on that possibility since, on the face of it, it is impossible to have the negotiation completed within two years?

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