Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Specific proposals have not been made. Making a declaration that there will be no return to a hard Border is not a policy proposal. It is a meaningless declaration. At a minimum, we have said a new Irish protocol to the EU treaty will be required to recognise the common travel area, the Good Friday Agreement and the unique situation that will pertain on the island of Ireland. Is that a Government priority? The Taoiseach has told me previously that the Government will be drafting the Council response to the triggering of Article 50. With regard to the Government's support for a change in the Stability and Growth Pact, which I have been arguing for within my own political family, will the Government argue for its EPP family also to support a change to allow for vital investment?

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