Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has said flexible and imaginative solutions are required. What does that mean? Is it a case of "Whatever you are having yourself"? Everyone in the Government is a negotiator. He or she needs to have substantive, definitive, clear and unqualified commitments, rather than wishy-washy rhetoric. It is clear that Brexit will have a serious and detrimental effect on Irish jobs and businesses, in particular in the agriculture and agrifood sectors. I did not argue that the document produced by the Government was not the result of hard work, especially on the part of public officials. I do not doubt them and commend them for their work. The problem is that that work has not been directed by any big political vision or strategy. It is little wonder that Michel Barnier's directives are vague. That is the failing of the Government and the Taoiseach. It is not a criticism of anyone except the Government. These challenging times demand political direction which is visionary and imaginative, but it is not being provided. If we do not provide it, no one else in the European Union will do it for us. We need clear and definitive proposals.

I again make the case that the best way to secure our future is through achieving designated special status for the North within the European Union. Incidentally, that would recognise the decision of the people of the North who voted to remain, but the Government continues to resist it. Why will it not call for special designated status for the North within the European Union? I ask the Minister to riddle me that.

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