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

Has there been a change in strategy in respect of Brexit on the part of the Government. I refer, in particular, to the remarks of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, on special designated status for Northern Ireland. That is the position of Dáil Éireann, as voted upon. Is that a new position of the Government's and are we in fact now seeking a special designated status for Northern Ireland?

All of us would welcome the deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP in some respects. An extra £1 billion pounds in investment for Northern Ireland must be welcomed. Northern Ireland has very special circumstances. However, now that, for obvious reasons, it is at the top of the political agenda as far as the UK Government is concerned, will the Irish Government step up to the plate and make Northern Ireland a priority in order that we might seek to implement all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement? Is the Taoiseach concerned about other aspects of the deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP undermining the Good Friday Agreement? Will the UK Government remain impartial as regards the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement? Is there a concern that the DUP may have issues that are not in the interests of the nationalist community brought to the top of the agenda?

Is the Taoiseach concerned about the polarisation of politics in Northern Ireland following the recent Westminster elections? Moderate voices were swept aside in may ways. If we implemented the Good Friday Agreement and stepped up to the plate, moderate voices would be allowed to be heard again.

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