Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for briefing us on his meeting with Chancellor Merkel. He has mentioned that the Government's negotiating document will be published later today. I hope we can have a debate on it in the Dáil. That would be very important. It is certainly in the national interest for all of us to be involved in the discussion. I note that the summit attended by Chancellor Merkel lasted just four minutes. Can we read any significance into that? What is the Taoiseach's view? I would be interested to hear his perspective on why the summit lasted just four minutes.

The negotiating guidelines have been agreed. I understand negotiating directives now need to be put in place. Perhaps the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, might be very involved in that process. Are we seeking special arrangements on the negotiating directives? Perhaps the Taoiseach might comment on that issue. Are we looking for anything in particular in that regard? Are the negotiating directives a logical consequence of the negotiating guidelines?

While the statement that Northern Ireland will have full automatic reintegration into the European Union in the event that there is Irish unity is to be welcomed as a gesture of goodwill by the EU 27, I wonder about the status of that assurance. I do not doubt that the Taoiseach discussed with Chancellor Merkel the precedent set when East Germany was united with West Germany.

Obviously, there is a very difficult road ahead. The agreement of the negotiation guidelines is just the beginning of the process. The talks that lie ahead are going to be difficult, tough and confrontational. Is the Taoiseach confident of a satisfactory outcome for Ireland? He has mentioned that at the end of the day a political agreement will have to be reached. A political solution needs to be agreed to by the EU 27 in relation to Ireland. Is the Taoiseach confident that we can achieve our objectives in that regard?

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