Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is very little information available on the current status of discussions in Belfast. It is clear, however, that the absence of an Executive and assembly in Northern Ireland has left it deeply exposed during the Brexit process in London. It is my firm view that the institutions should never have been collapsed in the North and that we are going through a very cynical exercise prior to the inevitable restoration of both the assembly and the Executive. There is a clear majority in the assembly against a hard Brexit and in favour of doing everything possible to recognise the special status of Northern Ireland and its residents. Equally, the DUP no longer has the numbers to block things with a petition of concern. Anything which delays the re-establishment of the institutions will further undermine Northern Ireland's influence and leave matters totally in the hands of the Tories and the DUP.

In her meetings with the Northern parties after the election, the British Prime Minister met the leaders of all five main parties. In contrast, the Taoiseach chose to limit his meetings to the largest two. Will he explain this highly unusual decision and why he has allowed a situation to develop where, implicitly, he is seen to exclude those who represent nearly half the population in the North?

4 o’clock

In terms of yesterday's deal, I welcome the additional £1 billion. It is welcome and we should have the capacity to welcome it. The people of Northern Ireland need it. However, the language around the deal could have been more reassuring. It should have included an explicit statement that no matter relating to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement or the workings of the institutions can be raised in the context of that DUP-Tory co-ordination. That reassurance was not provided. There is also language which suggests a subordinate role for Dublin. That should not be there. Will the Taoiseach confirm if any of this text was discussed in advanced with him or his officials prior to its being signed off on.

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