Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also think the Cabinet committee on Brexit needs to meet more often. We look forward to hearing the outcome of the Taoiseach's special Cabinet meeting on the issue. He will know that today the European Parliament passed a significant resolution on the current state of the Brexit negotiations. It specifically states there has not been sufficient progress in the negotiations on citizens' rights, Ireland and the settlement of the British Government's financial obligations. It calls on the European Council, unless there is a breakthrough, not to move into discussions on new trade arrangements with Britain. It is clear from the resolution which was supported by Sinn Féin's four MEPs that the European Parliament believes Britain has refused to detail how it plans to resolve its financial settlement or divorce bill and how it plans to deal with the Border or the rights of European citizens. I was concerned about the positivity of some of the Taoisearch's remarks after his recent meeting with Prime Minister May. It was not anything he said but the effort to put a positive spin on what she had said when it was clear that what she had set out what was not sufficient and that, in particular, she was in breach of her obligations under the Good Friday Agreement. Does the Taoiseach accept the assertion which is reaffirmed in the European Parliament resolution that Britain must provide a solution that will ensure full compliance with the Good Friday Agreement? Does he also accept - he has not yet said this - that the North has to remain within the internal market and the customs union? We have been arguing for designated status for the North within the European Union which is essentially what the people voted for; they voted against Brexit. It seems that the Government's position is to support special arrangements for the North outside the European Union, something which just would not work. Will the Taoiseach use the opportunity presented by the European Council meeting later this month to lobby for special status for the North within the European Union?

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