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

I am grateful for having the time to speak on this important issue. As Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, I follow the proceedings of the European Council with great interest. Before the European Council summit last week, we all made statements in this House hoping there would be much-needed progress on the Brexit negotiations. Unfortunately, there was no great progress to report, which is disappointing. It is unfortunate we are still at the same stage as we were in June after the last European Council meeting.

I reiterate the urgency of this whole matter. "Brexit Day" is less than six months away. If the UK crashes out of the EU next March with no deal, there is no doubt it will be an unmitigated disaster. We are simply running out of time to resolve this matter and we need to find solutions. I understand political solutions to the backstop impasse are being discussed and I hope an agreement can be struck soon. The next European Council summit on 13 December will be of paramount importance. It is nearly two months away and, therefore, it is vital we have agreed everything before then in order that the final agreement can be approved on time and people can make the necessary plans.

I commend the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Ministers, as well as the Minister for State, Deputy McEntee, and our officials who work hard to ensure Ireland's interests are heard in Europe. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle served as an MEP for many years with distinction, and I compliment our MEPs, from all political party persuasions and none, who have all succeeded in making Ireland's case in Europe, the benefit of which we now see in our neighbours' solidarity on the Border issue. It was extremely important for people such as Mr. Guy Verhofstadt and Mr. Michel Barnier to appear before this House and before committees to meet people like the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach and various Ministers and stand shoulder to shoulder with us in saying that if the deal was not good for Ireland, it was not good for Europe while if it was not good for Europe, it was not good for Ireland. That type of solidarity is important.

While for us the headline issue of the European Council summit was Brexit, it is also important to note that the European Council drew other conclusions regarding migration, internal security and external relations. These are important decisions about big issues that affect all of us, such as preventing further illegal immigration, increasing cybersecurity, combatting disinformation and fighting climate change. The committee I chair attends interparliamentary meetings with members of other national parliaments from across the European Union and MEPs. We know from attending these meetings and taking part in the debates that migration, in particular, is a huge issue for our European neighbours. It is a much bigger issue than Brexit for many member states. Our neighbours have shown us solidarity on Brexit and, therefore, it is important we support our neighbours on their priority issues. I hope we will continue to work together to find constructive solutions to issues which affect us all and help our neighbours where we can.

I mentioned the battle over climate change. It would be neglectful of me not to put on record that today is a black day in Ireland because of the news of a great organisation, Bord na Móna, winding down the great jobs which it created and which contributed greatly over many years. Many young apprentices came from all parts of Ireland, went to the midlands, trained, became mechanics, got qualifications and benefitted greatly from the knowledge and expertise of Bord na Móna. Many people from County Kerry went to the upper floors of Bord na Móna in management and so on, while many other people worked for them in various capacities over many years and were grateful for the work. It is sad beyond belief that the whole issue of climate change has made it normal and acceptable for us to think those jobs will be lost, with no clear pathway for Bord na Móna in the future. What will create the jobs that will be left void after the next number of years? The whole cessation of peat production is a retrograde step with which I do not agree. More harmful emissions come from busy places such as China or Japan in one hour than what we will produce in the midlands over the next 50 years. We are going along with it, however, and we are agreeing with it, which is wrong. The whole peat industry should have been protected by allowing it continue rather than being ceased. The production of peat briquettes, for example, was nothing in the world to be worried about or regretful about. We should have kept producing the way we did for decades and there would have been nothing wrong with that.

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