Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Taoiseach's acknowledgement of the need for an interim trade deal to ensure there is not a cliff effect in March 2019, when the UK exits the European Union. That would be devastating for many thousands of Irish businesses and potentially many thousands of jobs in the country. That must be acknowledged. The Taoiseach has made it clear he intends to remain in his position to attend the European Council meeting on 29 April. The man sitting next to him, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, yesterday called on the Taoiseach to be in that position when the negotiations get under way in early June.

One of the main contenders for the Taoiseach's position, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has said he expects the Taoiseach to set out shortly a process for the election of a new leader of the Fine Gael Party. We need to know who will be in charge when these negotiations get under way.

It is not a laughing matter. With all due respect, the Taoiseach once famously said, "Paddy likes to know".

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