Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Micheál Martin is right about Northern Ireland having a very specific legal architecture that is not analogous to the Spanish situation at all. I do not agree it is disputed territory. There is a solemn settlement voted by the people of this island and the United Kingdom that the future status of Northern Ireland is a matter to be determined by the people in Northern Ireland. That is the settled agreement. It is not disputed. Until such time as the majority in Northern Ireland want to alter it, it is settled.

Did the Taoiseach put to Prime Minister Rajoy the prospect of Northern Ireland maintaining itself within the Single Market or within the customs union? Did he give the Taoiseach any views on the Spanish reaction to that possibility? Did the Taoiseach discuss the status of Gibraltar? I met senior members of the Government of Gibraltar at the British Labour Party conference who also have great anxieties about themselves. They overwhelmingly voted, by 96% or 97%, to stay within the European Union. Was their status discussed between the Taoiseach and the Spanish Prime Minister?

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