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

I assure the House that we are not looking for some kind of constructive ambiguity in language to get us over a political problem. I regard the decisions that may or may not be taken on 14 December as of real, historic significance for Ireland. This is about the permanent change, potentially, in the relationship between Ireland and Britain and the relationships on this island. We have been very clear on this issue and unlike others we have not changed our position for months. Perhaps what has changed is the expectation of others that Ireland might, under pressure, change its position. We have not done that. I have been very clear that our first preference in respect of solving the Border issues and the North-South co-operation issues and so on would be for the United Kingdom as a whole to show a willingness and an appetite to want to remain part of the same customs union and the same trading platform as the rest of the European Union. That is, however, a decision for the British Government and its negotiating teams to make. In the absence of being able to solve the challenges, which run deep, that we face on the island of Ireland by a broad trade agreement in phase two between Britain and the European Union, then we have to recognise that Northern Ireland has unique challenges that will need tailor-made unique solutions. We have made that very clear. We have spoken about the need to avoid regulatory divergence because, essentially, if we had two jurisdictions on this island operating to different rule books for regulation it would be impossible in a practical sense to maintain the kind of relationships we have today. This is why we have taken such a firm stance on this issue and we will continue to hold to that position. Hopefully we will see progress that can allow us to move on to phase two in the middle of December. If it is not possible to do that, so be it.

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