Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I referred on many occasions to what we want for our country and citizens, namely, a continuation of a strong economy; the preservation of the common travel area; no return to a hard Border or borders of the past; to maintain our trading links; and to negotiate, as part of the European Union team, our position in the European Union of the future. What happened yesterday is that, following the referendum in Britain on 23 June 2016, calls were made for clarity and the Prime Minister has set out what she believes is the best option for Britain. One would not expect her to do anything else. After all, the British Government has decided to follow through on the vote in the referendum and leave the European Union.

The other side of the equation is that, from a European perspective, 27 countries, one of which is Ireland, will negotiate from the other side of the table. These negotiations have not even started yet. What we have at the moment is a declaration of what the British Government sees as being in Britain's interest. We have not had the benefit of a discussion by the 27 other member states, from a European perspective, on where these countries, including Ireland, see the future of Europe.

Deputy McDonald made the point that the Prime Minister had no interest in consulting. While I do not speak for the Prime Minister, I heard her say she wanted all the devolved administrations, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, represented on the negotiating team from a British perspective. The Deputy also made the point that this is bad news for Ireland.

The negotiations have not yet commenced but Sinn Féin wants to take the line of blaming everybody without accepting any responsibility. I want the Deputy to understand that we will argue vociferously in respect of the issues I have already pointed out we have been preparing for and mentioned yesterday by the Prime Minister in her speech. Also, when Britain has left the European Union this country will remain a member of it. Ireland is an English speaking nation, with a strong record of dealing with Europe, a strong proposition for continued investment and an attractive location for job creation and careers. Yes, there will be challenges, not the least of which will be, as referred to by Deputy McDonald, the British courts and the European Court of Justice and where decisions might be made in cases where difficulties arise from a particular circumstance or another. I do not accept the Deputy's proposition. I will argue very strongly in favour of our proposition for the future of our country and Northern Ireland.

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