Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I make no criticism of the Taoiseach's decision to meet the Hungarian Prime Minister. Dialogue is important if differences are to be resolved between parties. However, the Government of Prime Minister Orbán is one of the most regressive governments in the European Union, especially in respect of its anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant policies. Did the Taoiseach raise concerns about the Hungarian Government's approach to human rights with Prime Minister Orbán? Did he discuss with the Prime Minister the European Union's approach to the issue of migrants?

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We know that an Amnesty International report in December accused EU leaders of knowingly being complicity in the torture and exploitation of thousands of migrants held in the detention camps in Libya run by the Libyan coast guard. Has the Government investigated these complaints? Has it raised any concerns in relation to these complaints with its EU partners? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the EU programme is functioning properly?

The Taoiseach discussed the issue of Brexit with both the Hungarian and Bulgarian Prime Ministers. Last week in Davos, the Taoiseach called for a Norway-plus deal for Britain. Is this the approach supported by Michel Barnier? The Taoiseach acknowledged that his proposal would have to be a specific agreement, as there is no precedent for this type of relationship. That being the case, why does the Taoiseach not also argue for the North to have designated status within the EU? We are constantly told that there is no precedent for this, but if he is prepared to propose a Norway-plus model without precedent, then why not also propose a designated special status model for the North? Has the Taoiseach or any of his officials actually spoken to the British Government about proposing such a Norway-plus model? I think it is important that the House would be informed.

Finally, Government Departments have been advised to provide contingency plans, including emergency legislation, in the event that the EU and Britain do not arrive at a deal on Brexit. This is especially important in the context of today's leaked documents on the analysis carried out by the British Government on the economic impact, which showed that the North would be one of the worst hit areas. Will the Government publish these contingency plans, and will the Opposition be briefed on the content of these contingency plans?

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