Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The meeting of the British Irish Council was the first which the British Prime Minister had the opportunity to attend since she was elevated to the office, and the first since the Brexit referendum, but she did not show up and neither did the senior British Minister put in charge of Brexit, David Davis. My colleague, the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, rightly in my view criticised Prime Minister May for this, as did the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Does the Taoiseach think it is acceptable for the British Prime Minister to miss a meeting of one of the most important forums that exists between all the Governments on the islands? This was an opportunity, and the Taoiseach is a very regular attender at all these forums, to engage with all the other administrations.

If possible, I would like the Dáil to be given an update on the bilateral meeting the Taoiseach had with First Minister Sturgeon. The Taoiseach knows the British Government is holding a vote in its Parliament today on triggering Article 50. Last night, it agreed to publish its plan for leaving the EU before the end of March. Has the Taoiseach or his officials had any discussions with the British Government in recent days? I understand the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, is in London today to meet British politicians, but I am more concerned to find out the state of play between the senior officials on both sides. As far as the visit of the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, is concerned, will the Taoiseach assure us he will press the case for the Government in London to recognise the rights of citizens in the North who voted to remain? A very particular conundrum will arise. If the British pull the North out of the European Union, those of us with Irish passports will still have European citizenship. How do we get the guarantees and the other safeguards that go with this if we are outside the European Union?

I was in Stormont on Monday, and in my constituency and in Belfast there is still quite a lot of concern as the debate goes on. Even though it is not in the news every day it does not mean people are not concerned about it. This is the case in Louth, all the Border counties and Belfast. Many people are justifiably concerned about job losses and the other difficulties which will arise. Deputy Martin Kenny has told me the only surviving shop in Blacklion, County Cavan, which is the post office, is in danger of closing. The owners say this is due to the impact of Brexit and the loss of custom. Here we see a way of life as well as a livelihood being broken down in all this. Will the Taoiseach give us an update on these matters, and his opinion on the state of play since last we discussed this issue?

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