Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. I do not for one second misunderstand the issue of the veto or how it might be deployed. I do not gainsay it either because I have seen myself the sense of solidarity at the European level. I do not believe that the Tánaiste or any Deputies should miss the clear impatience in some circles to move on to phase two. My concern arises around the position of the Government because it is a mistake to be ambivalent on any level on this issue. It is a mistake to give any message other than that Ireland requires a resolution and an agreement that protects the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts and also protects Ireland's economy. This requires the North to remain within the Single Market and to remain within the customs union. There cannot be ambiguity on those matters as we move in to phase two. I put it to the Tánaiste that if the Government goes down that road then it is making a very big mistake. I also put it to the Tánaiste that, solidarity notwithstanding, in the absence of that level of certainty and clarity the Government would be left with no option but to exercise the veto. I ask the Tánaiste for reassurance that he sees these matters and that he understands these matters, as Sinn Féin does, in accordance with the position that has been adopted by the Dáil, which recognised all of those strands and the necessity to have full clarity on them.

See this speech in context