Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It seems to be putting the cart before the horse. It would have been nice to be briefed on the Irish Government's position in order that we could give our views from a more informed position. I am sure we will have other opportunities.

Whatever about the appropriateness of President Juncker's telephone call to the German Chancellor, it was very instructive. Those of us who have been engaged with British officials and Ministers believe there is a complete unreality about their approach. I think President Juncker has described it as a different constellation or galaxy. Perhaps that is a little extreme, but there is an expectation that somehow there will be bilateral formal arrangements between Britain and other individual member states. I think the United Kingdom was somewhat taken aback by the collective unity displayed in the decisions made over the weekend.

I would like to ask the Taoiseach about his discussions with Chancellor Merkel. Is there complete agreement that there will be no sectoral agreements between the United Kingdom and individual EU member states, on cars or anything else, outside the common negotiating position of the European Union? Is it perfectly understood by Britain that this is the position?

On the related but separate matter of the fiscal rules, Brexit demands that we address the requirement to invest in our infrastructure, including ports such as Rosslare, to ensure we will have improved direct bilateral links and that we will not need to depend on the UK landbridge for exports into the future. Is there an understanding that it would be acceptable to relax the fiscal rules to allow for additional infrastructural investment to Brexit-proof Ireland?

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