Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Designated special status within the European Union will allow for the economic prosperity, trade relations and jobs of the entire island of Ireland to be protected and enhanced together. It is the type of imaginative and innovative approach that has been called for by the European Union itself. Given the Government's obligation to uphold the new relationships within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Good Friday Agreement, it has a duty to advocate for such a position. It is the position that has been democratically decided upon by this Parliament but the Taoiseach turns his face to it. Incredibly, the Taoiseach and the Government have refused to advocate for this position. We need to ask ourselves why.

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