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

Ireland is the member state of the European Union most affected by the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016. Our concerns centre on the possible erection of barriers to trade, the creation of a hard Border, the maintenance of the common travel area and the viability of the Northern Ireland peace process. Trade between Ireland and the United Kingdom is valued at €1.2 billion per week and it is estimated that 14,000 people cross the Border every day. It is concern for the future of the Northern Ireland peace process that is exercising all our minds. The political stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland is not at risk. As Deputies noted, the Good Friday Agreement is of central importance.

Northern Ireland citizens have a right to European Union citizenship as a result of their right to Irish citizenship, as provided for in the Constitution and Good Friday Agreement. The European Convention of Human Rights, through the Good Friday Agreement, is fundamental law in Northern Ireland and the courts must be able to enforce European human rights law in Northern Ireland.

The issue of national identity has come to the fore again arising from the decision on Brexit, which is a major problem. There is a strong fear that the Border could become politicised. We do not want to return to previous times. As my colleagues noted, the PEACE and INTERREG programmes, which have played an important role in the peace process, must be maintained. This means that irrespective of what price the British pay as part of their divorce proceedings, the commitments given to these programmes must be fulfilled and maintained.

A delegation of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs visited the European institutions recently. During the visit, we met Commissioner Phil Hogan, Mr. Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator for the European Commission, and Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, MEP, the European Parliament's representative on Brexit, among many others. In my view, there is now a full appreciation and understanding of the Irish position among key personnel in the European Union. There is also considerable concern about the future of the Northern Ireland peace process, in which the European Union played an important part. While the threats to the peace process are understood, it was made clear to me that Ireland must be much more proactive in preparing its solutions to our unique problems. The message I received was that Europe is open to solutions. I hope work is under way in this regard.

Many groups and organisations are identifying the problems and proposing possible solutions. I note, in particular, the work of the Institute of International and European Affairs, which has produced various papers proposing practical solutions for discussion. Our problems need to be dealt with first and up-front once Article 50 has been triggered and we need to have our issues and concerns included in any initial draft papers prepared by the Commission.

Ireland must negotiate for the North to be designated as a special status region within the European Union. We must drill down into this concept to produce specific measures on the movement of people and conduct of trade. As regards trade between North and South and the Republic and United Kingdom in general, we need to argue for state aid rules to be eased for a transitory period and a special fund to be established to allow for the development of replacement and diversification. We must also utilise the European Investment Bank to develop our ports to improve connectivity as we deal with this major issue.

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