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

Unfortunately, we are now seeing Sinn Féin trying to raise concerns in a way that is irresponsible. Last Friday's agreement was not an agreement between two governments. It was an agreement between the British Government and 27 other governments. It is also patently clear from the guideline document that will be before heads of state towards the end of this week, if they support it, that in order for phase two to progress, the commitments made in phase one must be honoured. Will the Deputy please not raise unnecessary fears, in this House or anywhere else, about very sensitive matters? We have enough challenges in dealing with Brexit and the relationships between Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as relationships in Northern Ireland between two communities, of course, without the Deputy raising unnecessary fears.

We have stated over and over again that the Irish Government's position is we would like the United Kingdom as a whole to stay in the customs union and Single Market. That would solve many problems. It is a decision for the British Government to decide how they want to approach this. We have agreement between the British Government and the European Union that in the absence of agreement, there is a fail-safe and fall-back position that would ensure full alignment on the island of Ireland with the rules of the customs union and Single Market. It would allow the all-island economy to continue to function as it does today. The Deputy knows what that means.

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