Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

He will also have an interest in guarding the interests of our fishermen, who take many of their most valuable catches, including mackerel, shrimp and prawns, from UK waters.

That work is under way.

Many people also expressed the view that, given that the Barnier task force model had worked very well as the agent in negotiating for the 28 member states, we should have a similar model for the future relationship and treaty talks. It may not be headed by Michel Barnier, but the model of a task force to represent the 28 member states and the institutions of the European Union might work better than the alternative where the Commission, the Council and different European governments try to carry out different bits of the negotiations. The task force model seems to have been very successful.

Deputy Eamon Ryan asked about the views of the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones. We discussed the backstop, on which they gave their views. It is important to bear in mind where they are both coming from. They both voted to remain and would like the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union. However, they both know that that is probably impractical at this stage. They both have a particular perspective of the backstop, one that we do not often hear here, but it is heard in the United Kingdom. They have a concern that the backstop actually confers an economic advantage on Northern Ireland businesses and exporters that will place them at an advantage over those in Scotland and Wales and raises the possibility that trade might be diverted from the Dublin to Holyhead route to the Larne to Stranraer route. That is one of the reasons Northern Ireland businesses came out in favour of the backstop. They see that what we have negotiated could be of economic benefit to Northern Ireland in terms of jobs, the economy and living standards. It is always interesting to get the perspectives of others.

Deputy Eamon Ryan also asked about the possibility of inserting a rejoining provision, which would allow the United Kingdom to rejoin the European Union on the same terms. While that would have been worthy of consideration at the time, the United Kingdom did not want such a provision because, as far as it was concerned, it was negotiating a withdrawal treaty; it was leaving and not coming back. It did not want to entertain discussion of a rejoining provision, but there were mixed views on the idea at EU level. If the United Kingdom was ever to decide to rejoin, I would celebrate and welcome it back in the way one would welcome home an old friend. However, some other EU countries believe the United Kingdom already receives special treatment, including a rebate other countries do not receive, an opt-out from the euro, among other opt-outs in the area of home and justice affairs. Many countries take the view that if the United Kingdom decides to stay, it should decide to do so fully this time and not be allowed to opt out of various aspects.

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