Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I extend my thanks for the invitation to attend the Fianna Fáil Brexit summit in County Louth. I also thank the Sinn Féin representatives who attended the Fine Gael summit on Drogheda. This shows that the parties across this House are working together on a very important issue. I am speaking here tonight in my role as chairman of the Fine Gael Brexit committee. We have visited Northern Ireland and have met with the SDLP, Alliance and the UUP. We have written to Sinn Féin and look forward to its response to our invitation. I look forward to meeting with it and the DUP in Northern Ireland when the election is over.

We are all of one mind on this island that peace is hugely important and must be maintained. It is about keeping this debate about peace on our island, economic prosperity and the future of the whole island. Deputy Farrell will speak about the meetings he has had. We have had meetings in counties Louth, Cavan, Sligo and Leitrim. We will hold a meeting in Cavan where the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has already held a meeting. We will have one as Gaeilge in Dún na nGall at the request of the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh. We are active, committed and listening. That is what Fine Gael is doing. We are campaigning on this issue, as is everyone across this House.

We all want the same outcome. We want our island to continue to be peaceful, prosperous and successful. The Acting Chairman, Deputy Breathnach, is aware of the huge co-operation between the chambers of commerce in Dundalk and Newry. These towns suffered greatly during the Troubles. They were destroyed in terms of their economic infrastructure and job creation. They are now vibrant towns that are working together. The key thing is that they are working together every day. The chambers of commerce have united policies for improving the economic situation North and South. I want to see that continue. Hopefully, I will get a few more minutes in the next debate but I believe we are on the right road here. Let us keep working together and let us drive it forward towards an all island solution that respects all political views and none.

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