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

The Taoiseach might clarify something for me. Earlier he spoke about the backstop and I sought clarity on whether the backstop meant continued membership of both the customs union and the Single Market for Northern Ireland because he seemed to indicate that there could be a Canadian style agreement or that Britain will be outside the customs union and the Single Market. The Taoiseach said at a press conference last December that the backstop would mean continued membership of the customs union and the Single Market for Northern Ireland. Can he please confirm that is still the position in respect of what the backstop actually means?

Today marks exactly 600 days since the main institutions of the Good Friday Agreement were collapsed over the details of a heating scheme. That is why it was collapsed - a heating scheme. I was fundamentally of a different position. It should never have been collapsed. It was a reckless and irresponsible position in which to be, given the threat of Brexit. In the past road blocks like this were dealt with through intensive engagement not just at ministerial level, but between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of the day. Even the most fervent member of Fine Gael could not describe efforts to re-establish the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement as either urgent or intense. July's meeting of the intergovernmental conference, to which the Taoiseach referred, was not even a sideshow. In my view, the disrespect shown to our Government was a disgrace. There is no way around the fact that, in comparison with the relations which various Taoisigh of different parties had with Prime Ministers Major, Blair and Brown, there appears to be no leadership being shown by the heads of government on Northern Ireland. In the face of the immense threat of Brexit and the real damage being done to the foundations of the peace settlement, can the Taoiseach explain why he and the Prime Minister have shown so little initiative?

If we put to one side the tragic Stormont debacle in which the Taoiseach flew to Stormont to sign a deal which never materialised, there has been no attempt to convene all-party talks or to take any joint initiative. Can the Taoiseach detail whether he has proposed any initiatives or is he leaving everything to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade?

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