Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an deis labhairt faoin topaic fíorthábhachtach seo. As we all know, the majority of citizens in the North, 56%, voted to remain in the EU in the recent referendum. Their wish must be upheld and respected. Those citizens voted to remain because it is in their best interests politically and economically. As the fallout from the Brexit referendum continues, the only thing that is becoming clear is that there is no plan to protect the interests of Ireland, North and South. It is also quite obvious that the British Government is on a collision course with the EU, in which our economy and successive peace agreements are regarded as collateral damage. To drag the people of the North out of the EU against the express wishes of the majority of its people fundamentally undermines democracy and the principle of consent, which has become the bulwark of political relations in the North and is the foundation of the peace process.

Economically, the prospect of the return of a hard Border on this island will have hugely negative impacts for SMEs, investors, farmers, the agrifood sector and, of course, on ordinary citizens North and South who will be forced to bear the brunt of the impact. In education, for example, stakeholders have raised significant concerns about the impact of Brexit in areas such as cross-Border funding for educational programmes and initiatives, the institutional framework for North-South co-operation, the impact on teacher flow and supply and the mutual recognition of qualifications. Those important issues were raised at a recent meeting on Brexit with representatives of the Department of Education and Skills. In the higher education sector serious concerns have been raised about the impact of Brexit in terms of attracting EU funding for research and innovation, as well as the issue of student flows North and South and the lack of certainty on future student funding.

Research collaboration between Irish and British and Northern Irish research teams on EU-funded projects has been extensive and mutually beneficial, with 892 collaborative links in successful projects under Horizon 2020. The retention of those collaborative links is crucial to Ireland's ability to attract research funding and develop the expertise that allows us to compete on the international stage in terms of attracting international students and future investment. The designation of special status for the North within the EU is the only credible means by which we can minimise the negative fallout from Brexit. The achievement of special status would allow for the retention of EU funding streams and would protect the common travel area and allow North-South co-operation and collaboration to continue unhindered.

The EU has, on previous occasions, shown itself to be pragmatic and flexible in coming forward with arrangements in dealing with complex situations. Sinn Féin has already commenced a diplomatic offensive on this issue. Both Martin McGuinness and Michelle O'Neill have been in touch with the various Heads of State to outline the need for special status and our Oireachtas team has been meeting with relevant ambassadors. We need the Government to do the same. There is no excuse not to do so. We need a united approach on this issue and we need to speak with one voice North and South to defend the interests of our country and our people, all 32 counties, not just the interests of those in the Twenty-six county partitionist state. I urge all parties to support this motion.

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