Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I echo the previous speaker's points about food standards. It is something that is very much in our interests - certainly the European standards - and it does give rise to concern.

While the actual level of progress that has been made between the European Council and the United Kingdom so far in the negotiations remains unclear, the fact remains that it is imperative that the Union delivers for this State an arrangement in which we can continue - with as little interruption as possible - our relationship with our neighbours. Let there be no doubt that there is still a complicated path ahead over the next month before the European leaders meet in Brussels. It is imperative that our economic course and relationship with Britain post-Brexit has as few obstacles as possible for a myriad of reasons, not least those of an economic nature.

As the Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, states recently, Brexit trading issues cannot be addressed until the question of the Irish Border is resolved. He also stated that what we must all agree on is that the issue of the Irish Border needs to be given top priority in negotiations between the UK and the EU. The Government must ensure that it presses this point at every available opportunity.

While we hear a great deal about this matter, it is the practical outworkings relating to it - in terms of how it will be delivered - about which we need to hear. It would probably have to be a political decision as opposed to any kind of technical decision. We cannot sit idly by as decisions are made that will impact directly on our future. We cannot become collateral damage as an afterthought in these negotiations. There have been fine words spoken about how we will be protected - not least in this Chamber last week - but it is how that happens in practice, and not just the words, that will be important. We know we will have a new relationship in the context of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. That relationship must continue to be underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said that the UK and EU will crunch through the technical detail when they discuss Northern Ireland in Brussels today. Mr. Davis also said there is a shared desire to maintain the common travel area and protect the Good Friday Agreement. Of course, it is much more detailed than that. These issues are sacrosanct to all citizens across this island and it is vital they are protected. The EU is the basis for an equality that was provided by virtue of Ireland and the UK's common membership of the Union. It is difficult to see how the Good Friday Agreement can remain as it stands in the absence of that arrangement. However, remain it must and we, the UK and the EU, must do absolutely everything within our power to ensure that happens.

One thing we will all miss should Brexit happen - and I hope there is the possibility of a second referendum overturning it - is the engagement that occurs when people encounter each other at meetings, whether it is at the European Council, in the European Parliament or at other fora. That day-to-day, week-to-week type of engagement is something we have not factored in and that will certainly be missed.

We know we are in a unique position. When the German election was being held, I listened to some commentary on whether Brexit featured. The conclusion was that it did not feature at all. However, it is the backdrop to a huge amount of what happens in this country, perhaps because a mishandled negotiation will propel our economy into a fragile state. The fact that 41% of Irish farm produce goes to Britain is a very stark example of just how interlinked are our fates. Equally as important as recognising the problems is recognising that if we support Britain to exit in the least damaging way possible, it would make matters a lot easier for us.

Brexit poses significant competitiveness implications for Britain and with that comes an onus on the political structure here in Ireland to maximise the support mechanisms to Irish enterprise. I acknowledge that the Enterprise Ireland "Be Prepared" grant of €5,000 being offered to businesses to help them manage Brexit is a step in the right direction but, to be honest, it is a drop in the ocean and does require far greater support. I know there are other supports but that sector, and the agrifood sector, are the sectors about which we have got to be most concerned.

A well-managed Brexit represents the best possible outcome for Britain. That should be our focus because a good outcome for Britain gives us the possibility of a reasonably good outcome for us, albeit in a situation where there are no ideal outcomes from a scenario that is not of our making and to which there are many downsides, some of which we have not yet even considered.

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