Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy would expect, we are looking at our own ideas, as well as asking the British to come forward with theirs. The onus is on the UK as it decided to leave, which has caused all these issues. Whether we like it or not, however, we are all in this together and we need to contribute to finding solutions, which we will do. It is also important that we are clear on the parameters within which those solutions are to be found. Those parameters are clearly outlined in a working paper from the task force, which is very consistent with our position that the solutions have to ensure there will not be regulatory divergence as between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. For example if EU state aid rules, which apply in Ireland, do not apply in Northern Ireland and were the British Government to decide to help business in Northern Ireland by grant-aiding a fish processing plant - while we cannot do the same south of the Border - there would be an unfair playing field on the island of Ireland. That would create the need for checks and will lead to border issues etc. Regulatory divergence is a very serious thing for business.

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