Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has said repeatedly today that it is the role and responsibility of the two large parties to get the Executive up and running. We know that. I want to unburden the Taoiseach of any need he might feel to keep repeating that. I want to remind him that in order for us to do that we have to have delivery of those things that were agreed. That means the DUP, Sinn Féin and the others parties putting their shoulders to the wheel. It also relies upon the Governments delivering. We do not have the scope here for me to go through the matter point-by-point and issue-by-issue, but let me remind the Taoiseach that it is an intergovernmental responsibility to ensure the delivery of equality provisions. It says so in the agreements. It was the Governments who took on, at an intergovernmental level, to deliver Acht na Gaeilge. It is the British Government that is blocking dealing with the issues of legacy. The Taoiseach and his officials are well aware of this. The question that then arises is what pressure, leverage, contact and diplomacy can the Taoiseach deploy to move the British system and, alongside the DUP, to actually deliver? That is what we are looking for. If we get delivery on the agreements as agreed, we are back in business. There is no blockage from our side.

On the issue of Brexit I share Deputy Howlin's concern. We are sleepwalking on these matters. I see the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy and of the Taoiseach, and the meetings and contacts that have happened. I want to acknowledge that and to commend it, but I think on the core essentials of needing a driving strategic position for the island, we are sleepwalking. I am increasingly alarmed that there is nearly a blasé or a laissez-faireview taken around the damage, not that might visit Ireland, but that will inevitably, unavoidably visit this county unless we attain that special status to which Deputy McGrath referred and which this House voted to support.

What moves has the Taoiseach made to secure that status? The health and durability of the Good Friday Agreement rely on the achievement of special status. Agriculture, agrifood and the smooth functioning of so many sectors of our economy rely on achieving that. I have other questions but I understand that I am out of time.

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