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

The reality is that it takes two to tango. The EU is ready to negotiate and discuss sensible and pragmatic ways of delivering on the commitments that the British Government made in December and March.

I appreciate the support that we have received from Opposition parties - Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil and others - in respect of our efforts to ensure that there is a unified message coming from Ireland and this House. That has not only helped us, it has also assisted Mr. Michel Barnier and his team to provide clarity about what Ireland is seeking. I hope that we can sustain that.

I have no problem with the Opposition asking me the hard questions and holding me to account. It has been disappointing and very frustrating that we have not seen the kind of leap forward that many, including in the British political system, hoped would happen in June. That is why we now need to intensify our efforts if we are to ensure that a no-deal Brexit scenario remains, if not very unlikely, then remote. I am of the view that it is unlikely. As Mr. Barnier, President Tusk and President Juncker have done, let me make it clear that there will be no withdrawal treaty if there is no legally operable Irish backstop in place unless and until something better is negotiated. We have to deliver on that commitment over the summer.

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