Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will be sharing time with Deputy Crowe. Táim buíoch as an deis labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo um thráthnóna.

Since the result of the Brexit referendum became clear, Sinn Féin has been unequivocal in stating that Brexit presents the most serious social, economic and political threat to this island in a generation. The referendum debate in Britain took no cognisance of that fact. Eighteen months on, the position of the British Government still takes no cognisance of it and the threat to our island has not dissipated. We were told, last December, that the backstop arrangement was a guarantee, an insurance policy, that there would be no hard Border on our island and the interests of citizens in the North, the majority of whom voted against Brexit, would be protected. We were also told that this arrangement would be enshrined in a legal text by March, and then we were told the British Government would produce firm proposals by the June meeting of the European Council. That deadline then became October, and we all realise at this stage that this is not going to happen.

The Taoiseach said yesterday that negotiations could continue into next month or until the meeting of the European Council in December. This is a direct result of the stalling and prevaricating of the British Government and its abject failure to produce realistic proposals. With time running out, the British Government continues to show scant regard for Ireland and our rights, economy and peace agreements.

I made this point directly to British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, when I met her in London yesterday. I impressed upon her the need to place the Good Friday Agreement, shared progress and the unique circumstances of Ireland above any short-term political calculation. Up to now, unfortunately, her focus has been on infighting within her own party and her toxic pact with the DUP instead of coming to an acceptable negotiating position. The Tories and Ms May's Government stand guilty of an act of what I can only describe as mindless political vandalism. The British Government signed up to an agreement in December to protect the Good Friday Agreement, to avoid a hard Border and to put in place a legally enforceable backstop, and that agreement must be honoured. Unfortunately, the Tories' confidence and supply arrangement with the DUP has undermined progress. The DUP has aligned itself with the most right-wing elements of the Tories, UKIP and extremist Brexiteers in not seeking to avert or avoid a hard Border, but actively relishing the prospect of one. The DUP's position is utterly reckless and irresponsible.

The DUP cannot be allowed to set the pace of Brexit. It does not represent the majority of people in the North who voted to remain, and that point cannot be made often enough. We need a deal that recognises the unique circumstances of our island. The North must stay within the customs union and Single Market so that there cannot be a hard Border. This is critical to safeguarding investment, protecting jobs, trade and the integrity of the peace process. The onus is on political leaders to defend our country's political and economic interests. I mean "political leaders" in a domestic, rather than international, context. This is what has guided Sinn Féin's approach to Brexit. It has never sought to play politics, as other have, with any of this, and the Taoiseach would acknowledge that. It has supported the Taoiseach's Government and the European negotiating team, whom Sinn Féin has met on numerous occasions, in all of their endeavours and attempts to get the best deal possible. Sinn Féin wants that as the final outcome and that should be the position of everybody and every party on this island. There is an onus on the British Government to step up to the plate and on the Irish Government to defend and promote an all-island view.

The Taoiseach said, last December, we had a cast-iron guarantee to protect Ireland. Nothing less than that will be acceptable. The Taoiseach must now stand firm in defending the interests of the entire island and the rights of all its citizens. He must remain resolute in the face of British intransigence. The EU must remain true to its word that, without an agreed, legally enforceable backstop, there will be no withdrawal agreement. This is a straightforward, bottom-line message. It is the message the Taoiseach must bring with him to Brussels tomorrow.

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