Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the last few days we have seen the importance that the Parliament in Britain will have in the Brexit process and in the triggering of Article 50. Deputy Micheál Martin, in his contribution, called for a formal, national, negotiating mandate to be brought before the Dáil in and around the time Article 50 is triggered by the UK Government and Parliament.

I hope the Minister of State and the Taoiseach take that on board and give it further consideration.

Last December, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, in an address to the Association of European Journalists in Dublin, made several comments on Brexit. According to newspaper reports, Ireland is not, Mr. Hogan said, prepared for the Brexit challenge. He questioned whether Ireland is doing enough in the face of the mammoth challenge facing us. Ireland, the Commissioner stated, should be allocating more resources to Brussels ahead of the triggering of Article 50 and there must be a greater urgency in Dublin to reflect the fact that once the British trigger that article, the centre of power and influence will move from London to Brussels. The deal will be done in Brussels and that is where Ireland's strategic focus must be. Will the Minister of State give an assurance that we are dealing with that crucial aspect of the problem? It has been revealed that the Taoiseach has met only six of the 27 EU Heads of Government. Deputy Micheál Martin mentioned the need to build coalitions. I am aware the Minister of State is particularly active on the Brussels and Strasbourg scene, as is the Minister, Deputy Flanagan. However, we should heed what Commissioner Hogan said in December.

See this speech in context