David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----but we are not immune to it. We must realise the need to work for a more democratic and social Europe and ensure that is what we get.

It is also important to point out that the vast majority of people who live in Ireland want the island of Ireland to stay in the European Union. In recent several months, indeed since the Brexit referendum, people in the North have been very concerned that Brexit would not be good for them. I commend Teachta Adams on being one of the first Members of the Dáil to put forward the proposition that what the North needed and what Ireland needed was a unique set of bespoke solutions and that special status for the North was necessary. Those protections are the absolute bare minimum to meet our needs.

Teachta Adams will deal with some of the outstanding issues that need to be dealt with, but I will say this. The Taoiseach said earlier this year that citizens in the North would never be left behind again. People in the North listened to that. They are also watching what is happening. They will acknowledge the progress made on the Border and that there has been an Irish approach to this, with both Government and Opposition in this State working constructively to deal with the issue of the Border. However, they are now looking at the issue of rights. I urge the Taoiseach to remember the majority view in the North, reflected by Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Green Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party, SDLP. Those parties have also been working collectively, with one voice in Britain and Europe, to send a message that they want these issues dealt with. That is the majority view in the North. That is the voice of the majority of people and their rights have to be vindicated.

Notwithstanding the progress that has been made, there is concern among people in the North about the issues which have not been resolved. It is important to place on the record that Sinn Féin has worked constructively with the Government and to recognise the gains that have been made. It is equally important to point out the gains that have not been made and to very forcibly make the point that the people who want these issues dealt with are watching and are concerned.

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