Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I caution the Taoiseach against seeking a mandate for a strong and stable Government because it has not worked out so well for his counterpart across the water. I want to say clearly and passionately that I genuinely believe, on the basis of all the contacts and discussions I have had with my British colleagues, that if there is a deadline of September for a settlement on the backstop issue, that will be infinitely more to our advantage than leaving it in the general pot of issues to be determined in October. I genuinely think that is a better approach for us. I ask the Taoiseach to consider that, even if he cannot give me a definitive answer now. Can we try to secure a deadline for having a legally agreed position in September, rather than leaving it until the absolute deadline with everything else in October, which would be a disadvantage?

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