Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Lisa Chambers.

Itis disappointing, but not surprising, that there was no white smoke, so to speak, at last week's EU Council meeting. It is remarkable, however, that the main message coming out of the meeting, unlike after Salzburg, was that work is ongoing and that it is still possible to reach a deal. This at least gives some hope as we all agree in this House that a no-deal scenario would be a disaster for Ireland, the UK and EU. Given the coverage in the UK papers since the Council meeting, more doubt has been cast on what Prime Minister May can deliver given her internal challenges in Westminster and her own party. No doubt EU members are very conscious of this challenge, and every effort is being made to enable the UK to realise the challenges ahead if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Today's headlines in the Financial Times, for example, outline how the United Kingdom is planning to bring in emergency supplies, such as food and medicine, in the event of a no-deal Brexit. When this was discussed at Cabinet, it was reported that one Minister said "an almighty row" developed. Obviously, the root cause of all the problems is to be found in the small group of Brexiteers in the Tory party who continue to campaign against the EU with almighty ferocity. They seem determined to cause chaos even if it destroys the economy of their own country. Added to this, there is the complicated scenario in which the DUP is adamant that Northern Ireland cannot be treated any way differently from the rest of the UK even when businesses and farmers depend on a seamless border to do their daily business and when the majority of citizens in the North voted to remain in the EU. It is exceptionally difficult to take the demand and criticisms from the DUP when there seems to be no effort to allow and enable the Northern Executive to get back up and functioning. It is now nearly two years since the Executive and Assembly met. It is no wonder that people in the North are so disillusioned with their politicians across the parties. Not having an Executive during such a critical phase of Brexit negotiations makes no logical sense. Party political ideologies are getting in the way of pragmatic politics and this is harmful and works against the interests of the people of the North.

My party leader has said on numerous occasions that a deal is possible, and Fianna Fáil remains committed to being generally supportive of what the Government and its diplomats are trying to achieve as we believe this is in the best interest of the island of Ireland and, of course, the rest of the EU and the UK. We must, however, prepare for every eventuality. While the budget allocated funding to recruit 400 additional east-west customs staff and to increase the allocation to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland so that they will increase access to the overall European markets, Ireland must do more in case there is a no-deal scenario.

It was interesting to read the independent review by the PBO. It found that the Government prepared for an "orderly Brexit" and that there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the future relationship between the UK and the EU and the negotiations of this future relationship. For this reason, it is believed it may not be prudent to plan on the basis of an orderly Brexit. The office also cautioned on conventional economic models as they "may not capture the unprecedented shock that a disorderly Brexit represents". For Ireland, the economic damage, according to the only independent forecast commissioned by the Government is a hit equal to 7% of national income, which is the same as would be felt by the UK.

As our party leader said last week, the first priority must be to keep pushing for a form of special status for Northern Ireland that would guarantee it full access to both the EU and the UK markets. Northern Ireland would have a unique economic status where it would not be obliged to pay for membership of the Single Market but would derive all of the benefits. The special or "unique" economic zone status that my party has advocated provides a definite guarantee that no constitutional sleight of hand is being implemented. It utilises principles well respected in international trade law and which, by definition, involve one part of a state being given separate and preferential status by comparison with the rest. In this regard, we should note an area that we are all familiar with on the border of Germany and Switzerland, namely Busingen. Busingen is not technically part of the EU customs territory. As a treaty was signed in 1948 between Switzerland and Germany, it is part of the Swiss customs territory. An exception has been made for geopolitical reasons.

Other issues were raised at the European summit. Our European challenge is not just about minimising the damage of Brexit because we have also to renew our approach to the future of Europe. Last year, the French President, Mr. Macron, began a debate on the reform and development of Europe that cut to the heart of the issues involved. We cannot meet the challenges of a changing Europe and changing world if we continue with an approach to the Union that denies its ability to be more effective and ambitious.

For many years Ireland has been a supporter of incrementalism within the Union principally because we saw the need to stop the UK from opting out of everything. That reason will be gone following Brexit. We must look again at supporting a Union that has the resources and means to do more to help all of us meet challenges such as energy security, building a more robust financial sector and helping regions and countries in need.

I am glad immigration and cybersecurity were also discussed at last week's meeting. The call for increased co-operation should be adhered to as it is in every member state's interest and all states must work towards eradicating illegal smuggling both online and at sea. The asylum process was also discussed and proposals by the Austrian Presidency are to be worked on before the December Council meeting.

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