Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Smith. I came into politics as a republican nationalist but many in this House might be perplexed to hear me describe myself as a unionist also, but not in the form people in Sinn Féin seem to oppose. I was reared to believe that unity is about unity of purpose and in economic approach and that with that comes respect for others' view of the world. Through trust and engagement, it is my firm belief that the unity of the island will come if we give our children and our children's children a future built on respect and prosperity.

Theresa May’s dependence on the DUP, together with the failure to form a government in Northern Ireland for some 330 days now, is clearly having a negative impact and will have repercussions for our citizens not just in Northern Ireland but in the Border communities and beyond. The short-sighted abstentionism of Sinn Féin leaves Westminster with no nationalist voice to represent them, nor the vast majority of the 55% who voted to reject Brexit.

It is unbelievable that many democratically elected Northern Ireland representatives cannot put aside or park those contentious issues to enable them deal with the greatest threat facing these islands in Brexit.

It is my strong belief that the Irish Government, representing all of this island, in the absence of a devolved government in Northern Ireland, must also not be duped by the DUP posturing or by what has been described as the David Davis-proofing, DDP, of phase 1 of the negotiations. The Minister said there should be no backsliding. I would go further and say there should be no hunker-sliding, which is how I would describe what has been happening in terms of the British Government in recent days.

It is my further belief that written signed agreements and guarantees are needed in advance of phase 2. We have already heard David Davis describe the deal as much more a "statement of intent than it was a legally enforceable thing". Many on both sides of these islands will be very aware how Britain can change its tack to suit its methods. I said last week that there is many a slip between cup and lip. It might have been more appropriate to say that there is many a slip between dinner and dessert, as Theresa May found to her detriment.

There is a dichotomy in the statements that the UK as a whole will leave both the customs union and the Single Market while also stating that Northern Ireland will not be treated any differently. These statements do not sit comfortably with me or with anyone and they contradict each another. The British Government needs to be reminded also that this agreement, and the Good Friday Agreement, are sovereign and not just a gentleman’s agreement as looked upon by David Davis in terms of phase 1.

It is important to point out that in a recent survey of 2,000 voters in Northern Ireland, 57.8% believe that special status should be accorded to Northern Ireland, something that has been advocated by my party since Brexit; 52.4% are concerned about a reduction in human rights; and 75.8% believe that in Northern Ireland the standards of food and products produced on these islands should have no divergence at any time or in future.

A report this week outlined the gap in fortunes between the economies of Northern Ireland and Ireland, which will increase in the next two years as Brexit looms. This EY study added that Ireland’s GDP is expected to grow by 4.9% this year compared with 1.4% for Northern Ireland. The report goes on to say that the state of the economy of Northern Ireland is not helped by the absence of a devolved government. It also states that the economy in Northern Ireland remains challenged owing to inflation, reducing consumer spending and the absence of a government disrupting the many state spending programmes.

Without the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly, all of the Departments are losing out on funding. For example, the education system in Northern Ireland is facing a funding gap of £350 million by 2019 or 2020 if it does not get more money, according to the Education Authority’s chief executive, Gavin Boyd. He has also said that almost 400 schools will be in budget deficit this year - Northern Ireland's highest ever number and a 27% rise from last year. We need to get the devolved government up and running to encourage the future generations I spoke about earlier.

I attended a conference in Newry on 10 November on the impact of Brexit on children. It was called "It's Our Brexit Too". We were warned by young teenagers of the potential impact of Brexit on children and young people from both sides of the Border. The conference highlighted the fragility of the peace process in Northern Ireland and called for decisions about Brexit to be formally assessed to ensure there is no regression of children's rights in Northern Ireland or the Republic. For example, detailed consideration must also be given on how European arrest warrants and other cross-Border child protection measures will now function.

On the stage of the negotiations, in a speech yesterday Michel Barnier pointed out that sufficient progress does not mean full progress. There are many other points to discuss for the UK’s orderly withdrawal. He also made reference to Ireland, where the UK has made important commitments but where he said much work remains to be done in a distinct strand of negotiations. I welcome Michel Barnier's statement that all Ministers agree that Ireland requires specific solutions because of its unique situation. As I have done previously, I commend the efforts of the Government in all the consultations and the officials for their diligence on this matter.

I urge the parties in the North to put aside their disagreements, even for now, and ensure that devolved government returns to Northern Ireland in order that the citizens of the North may have their voices fully heard in the Brexit negotiations. I have absolutely no doubt that they will be given credit for that by people who want to see proper functioning administrations in all facets to represent them both in Brexit and in the ministries which are not working in the North because of the lack of government involvement.

Michel Barnier spoke in Irish, using the phrase, "Ní neart go cur le chéile", meaning there is strength in unity. Mar fhocal scoir deirim gur ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine agus na tíortha. Humans and countries are interdependent. That is how we should progress.

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