Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the opportunity to speak in this very important debate. We are facing into an election in Northern Ireland at a most unfortunate time because of the issues relating to Brexit. Instability at this time is most unwelcome, but we must be respectful of the rights of political parties and politicians to call an election if they see fit to do so. We are where we are. Could anybody believe that a cash for ash situation would lead to us facing into an unwanted election, but this is it and we must get on with it.

From working with my colleagues on the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs in recent months, I know the challenges Brexit has put upon us here and in the North will be enormous and we are facing into the unknown. I welcome the Prime Minister's speech today which, to a certain degree, brought some clarity but also brought its own concerns. It was the case we were waiting a long time for it and I welcome the fact the speech was made today.

When the election is over we want the parties to work together. We want there to be a government and to have co-operation as we had in the past because of the serious economic and trading concerns we have in the South and the worries we have about how Brexit will affect the farming community and our tourism sector at a time when our economy is very vulnerable. We are only coming out of the depths of the recession. There is a lot of road to cover before we can say we are really on a road to recovery, because every day of the week in my constituency I see many issues and problems, which is why I am so worried about the effect of Brexit and what is happening at present.

It would be neglectful not to acknowledge the contribution of the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and his hard work. He is operating well in his portfolio and I commend him.

At this time we do not want other politicians to knock him for the sake of knocking him. He needs support because of what we are facing into.

I send my best wishes to former deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. I was upset when I heard of his illness and I hope he will make a complete recovery and gets back up on his feet again in the near future because his contribution, as is the case with other people on all sides, can never be forgotten. It is because of the work people on all sides did on the peace process that people are no longer dying on the streets in the North and that is to be welcomed.

See this speech in context