Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland faced many robust challenges before Brexit in the past 100 years. The fight for our independence and the subsequent Civil War was a time of huge upheaval. Many of these challenges have persisted until the present day. The State prospered and continues to prosper. We need to channel that energy and experience. We have always faced these challenges with determination and resilience. I believe we will face Brexit in the same spirit. During this debate Opposition Deputies have accused us of not looking after this country and not putting it first. I suggest we need only look at what has happened at the water committee in the past two days to see that Ireland is the only party putting this country first.

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