Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have listened with great interest to all of the contributions in advance of the European Council meeting on 29 April. As the Taoiseach and others have said, this is a crucial meeting for Ireland as it will set the initial negotiating guidelines for the talks, which will begin subsequently in great detail. We know we must listen to all the voices from around this island, as the Government is doing and will continue to do, and to ensure there is an open and inclusive approach. It is the approach the Government has adopted from the outset. The Oireachtas has a central role to play. Deputy Haughey and others were at the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs yesterday when we had a very detailed and lengthy exchange. I wish them continued success. The Government has always been aware of the deep challenge that lies before us. As Deputy Martin and others have said, the potential for a good outcome for Ireland from this process does not exist so it is up to us to minimise the effect on our country and on the island. Our overriding priority from the outset has been to get the very best deal for Ireland in the negotiations ahead. The challenge is significant and many have called it the challenge of a generation. I agree with that assessment.

I will address some of the contributions made and address some of the questions that came from Deputy Martin. We will look at this with respect to all of the guidelines. It is absolutely clear that changes to EU law will be required. It seems to me to be absolutely implicit. We will look at that when looking at the guidelines. The Deputy referred to the common travel area and the 1.8 million people in Northern Ireland who have the entitlement to an Irish passport and therefore a European Union passport. The guideline text is a concise document, therefore the elements relating to Ireland are also concise. This is why we have the phraseology we have within the text. We are very satisfied with the text. It is Irish text that we have supplied and worked with our partners in Europe to achieve. It does not mean there is not space for some further clarifications.

Deputy Ryan is correct in his assessment of standards. It will be remarkably challenging for the United Kingdom, particularly given its public commentary about the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. If the UK chooses not to abide by European standards, it will cause significant difficulties for it if it chooses to continue to export into the European Union as we assume it must. The Deputy is correct. The future relationship, which will probably be a new trade deal not unlike CETA or a new version of TTIP, will not only involve the question of tariffs but the issue of standards. To date, Europe has shown leadership in global standards with respect to data and privacy and other areas.

I will respond to the contribution made by Sinn Féin. I will meet the Scottish Minister in Cork next Thursday night. The other devolved assemblies and the British and Irish Governments are all working to promote their own needs and those of their citizens. Northern Ireland is sadly at a disadvantage because of Sinn Féin's inability to conclude a deal and put the Northern Ireland Executive in place.

12 o’clock

I had an exceptionally productive meeting with Máirtín Ó Muilleoir at a General Affairs Council, GAC, cohesion meeting at which the positions of two Ministers from the island of Ireland were put together to our colleagues. To now hear the hypocrisy of Sinn Féin talking about the Government not doing enough for the people of Northern Ireland in the context of there being no Northern Irish voice in these talks thanks to Sinn Féin and its inability to do its job having been elected by the people of Northern Ireland-----

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