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

It is clear there is an overwhelming momentum to conclude a withdrawal agreement. A car crash Brexit next March is simply not going to happen because the financial, economic and security damage caused would be much worse than any alternative. We should also remember that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste repeatedly said that Ireland would veto the continuation of the talks if there was any backsliding but they failed to do so when the critical moment came in March. Since then, in July, Michel Barnier signalled the de-dramatising of the backstop. There has been a constant drip of stories from London, Dublin and Brussels about what is on the way. As we head into the decisive weeks in the negotiations, it would be helpful if the Taoiseach would clarify whether the backstop still means what was claimed for it in December. Last December the Taoiseach told the press conference in Government Buildings that the backstop means continued membership of both the customs union and the Single Market. That is the key point. Both he and the Tánaiste referred to the deal meaning, effectively, the continuance of the status quo, not just in terms of border checks but, crucially, the administration of trade. Can the Taoiseach assure us there will be no attempt to redefine what is meant by the backstop? In particular, is it still his belief that Northern Ireland should continue with full access to both the customs union and the Single Market, and that it is not good enough to just find a way of not having a border? Can he explain why, so far, we have heard nothing about any discussion on how regulatory alignment would be maintained in Northern Ireland if the blockage on east-west checks is overcome?

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