Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let us all note that today there are prisoners in Russian jails whose only crime was to fly a Ukrainian flag. The Tarter minority organisations and media have been systematically repressed. There are no political or media freedoms in Crimea. The separate identity of the region is being destroyed. There can be no normalisation or lifting of sanctions while Russia maintains this aggression and the policy of promoting separatism in eastern Ukraine.

Separately, it is obvious that we need to dramatically step up procedures for protection democratic processes in Europe. We have been given a warning and we must act. I do not see this as being linked to the scheduled discussion on security and defence at the summit. Co-operation on civil protection and policing is welcome and its expansion is delivering real benefits for all countries. However, there is no compelling reason to change provisions concerning defence and external security. Exiting treaties provide a strong enough basis for action while still respecting the different traditions of a number of member states, including Ireland. The provisions are in place for co-operation based on the principles of solidarity and defence of core democratic values. We do not need another military alliance and we do not need to waste time which could be usefully spent on other more needed reforms to the operations of the Union.

The discussions on Brexit will be informal and it is not clear that anything substantive will be considered. It appears there will be little more than an update on matters already understood. In recent weeks, Fianna Fáil has set out in some detail our approach to what we believe should be Ireland's policy in these negotiations. It is transparently obvious that we will not and should not try to conclude a side deal with Britain in advance of the wider discussions. We will not join them in this potentially disastrous decision and our priority has to be to ensure the Union of which we are a member can work. In truth, the bulk of our bilateral relations with Britain will have to be defined through the overall negotiations. For a start we must insist that the unique situation of this island, North and South, be reflected in post-Brexit arrangements. We will feel the impact more than any other part of the European Union and this must be addressed. We need to help the industries and communities worst hit and this means we need to secure permission and support for targeted assistance with diversification and market replacement. We must also demand that the particular situation of Northern Ireland be addressed through a special status.

Post-Brexit Northern Ireland will contain the largest concentration of EU citizens outside of the European Union borders. The right to Irish citizenship, which conveys the right to European Union citizenship, is fundamental to our Constitution and to a serious of international commitments. For the sake of clarity, we will vote against any deal which seeks to alter this right in any way. Northern Ireland residents must retain their right to full EU citizenship and, equally, they must not be forced to choose between Irish and UK citizenship. As the Taoiseach will clearly have some form of discussion with the UK Prime Minister, Mrs. May, tomorrow, he should make a point of raising with her a concern about the unilateral and unacceptable approach to the EU-related provisions of the British-Irish Agreement and Northern Ireland Act. The UK Government has no legitimate right to unilaterally change the importance of EU law to the Northern Ireland settlement. Any amendment must be negotiated and must not conflict with the provisions voted on in free referendums on this island.

This is a dark and challenging moment for Europe. It faces assertive enemies from outside and opposition from populist movements within. This is not a time for timid action. We need clarity and determination to move forward. We need a spirit of solidarity. We need leaders who understand that we cannot afford to move back to business as usual.

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