Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I come to the House to record our appreciation for the work done by everybody in connection with the Brexit negotiations. We were very lucky. Our negotiating teams have honed their skills in negotiation and international diplomacy. I compliment the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, and the former Taoiseach, Deputy Kenny, for laying the groundwork over the past 12 months at a very crucial time for the island of Ireland, North and South. I compliment the chairman of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, for the way he contributed and donned the Irish jersey in promoting the cause North and South. We should also acknowledge our European colleagues who stood so solidly with us in order to ensure that the Union prevailed and looked after itself.

The people of this island, North and South, have become economically dependent on each other over the past 20 years in a way that did not pertain before that. There has been a significant economic dividend from the relationship that has developed and the benefit of that has been seen by all. The next stage and objective must be the degree to which the Tánaiste and the Government can interact with nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland in order to represent their interests in the context of negotiations that must and will continue because there is an onus on everybody on the island to ensure that what was achieved over the years and the sacrifices and very serious calls that were made are not allowed to slip away. There is no intention of allowing that to happen. The Tánaiste can take a bow and convey our thanks to our colleagues in the European Union, who have clearly indicated their willingness to back the Union and endeavour to do everything possible to retain the benefits we have achieved.

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