Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In light of Prime Minister May's comments that she would not seek any special deal or status for the North of Ireland, how does the Minister square that circle with regard to our view, as the Oireachtas, in the main, that the North of Ireland should have special status? The UK, and in particular Prime Minister May, have chosen to curb immigration ahead of trade and relations between them and their nearest neighbour, Ireland, and the rest of Europe. This will have to be teased out in time. Given that Secretary of State Brokenshire does not even form part of the Brexit committee, is that understood at the Prime Minister's level, based on the bilateral talks the Taoiseach has had with her, about the real risks to the economy in the North of Ireland and in Britain? I remind the British that Ireland is their fifth largest market, therefore it is in their interests that we do not put up barriers between the two countries.

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