Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Minister a tactical question. On certain issues, such as environmental standards and social standards - not necessarily difficult issues such as trade or other issues - why is it in our interest that they be delayed three months, six months, or whatever period of time? Does the Minister not agree with me that it is not all negative and that playing a zero-sum or winner-versus-loser game is not sensible? Commissioner Juncker said that Brexit has to be bad, and it probably will be. However, do we have to push that? Why is it we are pushing it to the extent that we are not agreeing to talk about certain issues, which could be somewhat positive, about future collaboration on the likes of digital issues, social rules and environmental rules? We could then watch the UK argue with its own population on why it refuses to accept some of the good standards that come from the EU. Why is it in our interest not to bring that in early and not to give it the time and attention it should be given? Tactically, why is the EU playing such a tough game in that regard? It does not make sense.

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