Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The question tabled by my party leader, an Teachta Adams, was specifically about meetings relating to Brexit since 1 December. The Taoiseach might clarify the position in terms of that timeline.

I raised these issues with the Taoiseach earlier and the lack of coherence in the Government's approach to the issue is alarming. I know the Taoiseach could stand up again and list all the different issues that are a worry, but that is not good enough at this stage. Deputy Troy rightly cited deep concerns about vulnerable jobs throughout the country. He mentioned the mushroom industry. I remember as far back as August when I was in Tipperary town working on a different issue. As it happened, 60 or 70 jobs were lost in Tipperary - deep in the south - and those losses were attributed to sterling fluctuations, Brexit, uncertainty and so forth. For the people of Tipperary, all of a sudden the reality of Brexit was no longer a matter of concern for those up in the North. It was very much on their own doorsteps. I use that as a single illustration.

We all have a responsibility to ensure that we come to a coherent position on these matters. It is in all of our interests. There is no sense that the Taoiseach's Administration is anywhere close to that. It sounds to me as though the Taoiseach is taking the position that it is everyone's responsibility, and therefore no one's responsibility, to have a plan - not a list of aspirations - for all of Ireland. The Taoiseach is well off the pace in that regard.

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