Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin consistently argued that the negotiations should not move to the next phase unless there was movement on the three outstanding issues. We, therefore, support the Government's position in not moving into that phase. What I outlined to the Taoiseach earlier is what Downing Street is briefing today. I am not saying it is telling the truth but simply that this is what it is briefing.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade correctly stated that Ireland cannot afford to take a leap into the dark. The only way to avoid doing that is to have absolute clarity and certainty on the entire island staying in the customs union and Single Market. This is about more than trade, although trade is obviously important. Does the Taoiseach agree - as I understand it, this was not part of the deal he outlined yesterday - that citizens' rights and access to the European Court of Justice and other European Union institutions need to be a central part of any agreement? If so, this needs to be a central plank in his negotiations as otherwise the Good Friday Agreement will be destroyed. The Taoiseach must not let that happen on his watch.

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