Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not surprising that Brexit was the main topic of conversation and the main focus of the discussion. Since June 2016, the British Parliament has been deadlocked on the question of Brexit. After two and a half years of wrangling, we still have no solution that we believe will command a majority at Westminster. Despite the wishes of most Members of this House, there is a growing likelihood that the deal negotiated will not command a majority in the House of Commons next week. There is certainly no majority for a no-deal scenario. The only thing on which the British Parliament seems to agree is the need for more information before MPs make up their minds. Obviously, it is an internal matter for the British Parliament, but there is a real risk that it will be unable to agree on anything before March 2019. That could mean a disorderly exit by the United Kingdom from the European Union, perhaps by accident more than by design. Having discussed these matters at some length, we all agree that that would be disastrous for Ireland. I agree that we cannot interfere in any way in the British decision-making process. It would probably be counter-productive to do so, but if it becomes apparent that more time is needed to enable a rational decision to be arrived at, what will the Taoiseach's attitude be? The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice decided yesterday that the United Kingdom could, of its own volition, withdraw the Article 50 application. We are less clear, however, on the postponement of the Article 50 process. If the view of the House of Commons is that more time is needed, will the Government support a postponement of the Article 50 process? What, in the Taoiseach's view, would be the attitude of the other 26 member states to such a proposal?

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