Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I seek clarity from the Taoiseach on the sequence of events. There will be an assembly election in Northern Ireland. Hopefully, a new devolved Administration will be agreed. However, based on the rhetoric we have heard, there is a distinct likelihood that it might not be achieved. It is important that the Government has contingency plans for this eventuality. If there is a hiatus, who will be the authentic voice of the people of Northern Ireland on the British side regarding their preparations for Brexit negotiations? If the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland are there to represent the very strong views of their communities, who does the Taoiseach envisage will be there? Surely he does not envisage it would be Secretary of State Brokenshire. Has this been discussed with the British authorities and what is the Taoiseach's view on it?

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