Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me time to speak on this important issue. As the Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, I keep a close eye on the proceedings of the European Council. The big issue on tomorrow’s agenda of the European Council in Article 50 formation is, of course, Brexit.

I commend the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and our Ministers and officials on their diligent work on Brexit. We and our European partners are handling this issue the right way. They have gone out to Europe, talked to our neighbours in the EU and made our case. As a result of their hard work, we have seen the benefit of their solidarity on the Border issue.

All of us spoke in this House before the European Council meeting last June, hoping that there would be a breakthrough in the Brexit negotiations. Unfortunately, that did not happen. We are now in October, almost four months later, hoping again that there has been some progress. I was disappointed to hear media reports that there had been a breakdown in negotiations over the weekend in Brussels. This has turned into the ultimate game of brinkmanship. That is completely understandable considering everything at play, but very unfortunate considering how important and central this process is to all of us.

We have known for a while now that finding a solution that avoids needing to use the backstop is the sticking point for the British side, but time is running out. Brexit day is less than six months away. We need to have the agreement sorted sooner rather than later if we are to get it approved on time and allow people to make any necessary plans.

I hope the negotiations get back on track as soon as possible and that a Brexit deal can be agreed before November if at all possible. The Joint Committee on European Union Affairs has been following the Brexit process since the beginning and one thing is clear to me and the other members. If the UK crashes out of the EU next March, it will be an absolute, unmitigated disaster. There is no such thing as a good deal, but it is important that we get the best deal possible.

While for us in Ireland the European Council meeting will be overshadowed by Brexit, it is important to note that the European Council will also be discussing migration, internal security and external relations. The committee I chair attends interparliamentary meetings with members of other national parliaments from across the European Union. We know that migration is a bigger issue than Brexit for many of our European neighbours. I think it is important that we continue to work together to find constructive solutions and help out our neighbours where we can.

It is of tremendous importance that we as an Oireachtas continue to support the Government in every way we can. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, has always been very forthcoming in attending meetings of the committee that I chair and engaging with its members. We have brought in many people to give evidence and answer questions over a very long period since the original vote on Brexit. We are doing our part and everybody in this Dáil, whether they are in opposition or in government, has a very important role to play. We all have to put our shoulders to the wheel and ensure that we are protecting the future generations, the young people in this country who have not been born at all yet but who will be very deeply affected by Brexit. We have to think of the people who are involved in trade, whether in farming, tourism or any of the other sectors that we represent. We have to ensure that we are all working together with the one aim of ensuring that we will not be found wanting when it comes to finding solutions for this problem which we did not create.

Am I surprised that we are where we are today? I am not. As I said, brinksmanship happens an awful lot during any dealings or negotiations. That is exactly where we find ourselves now. I hope over the coming days and weeks, and I definitely hope it will not go into months, that we will be able to come to a solution, that we will be able to get the best deal possible for the people on this island and for the people we want to continue trading with not just in England but around Europe. I commend to everyone that this is not a time to be negative in terms of Opposition and Government. This is a time for us all to be positive and for us all to work together as a united front. When the chips are down, we have to fight together.

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