Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. He has said these are internal matters for the British Government, but they are also of relevance to and have a profound impact on Ireland. Put simply, the pathway being pursued by hard-line Brexiters such as Mr. Boris Johnson and Mr. David Davis, if they had succeeded and if they succeed in the future - hard-line Brexiters are still there in numbers within the British Tory Party - would lead to a significantly negative impact on our economic well-being, particularly on the west coast, in the north west and the midlands, as documented by the Economic and Social Research Institute. At times there has not been an adequate focus on the potential economic damage and the downside to a less than optimal east-west relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland. It affects the island in its entirety in terms of exports to the British market which cannot easily be replaced quickly through diversification and other channels. Does the Taoiseach believe the Chequers statement represents a credible pathway to negotiations? It represents a departure and a significant change in direction, with greater coherence than we have seen to date from the British Government. Therefore, it requires a proximate and proportionate response from the European Union that should be distanced immediately from some of the comments that have emanated from some hidden sources in the Union, with talk of rats deserting sinking ships. Such crowing over-eggs the discussion. It is time to get down to serious negotiations, to find the optimal resolution for the European Union, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

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