Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have questions on three issues. We have all danced around political sensitivity but I hope there will be direct answers because we need them at this stage. What will the Government do to secure the Single Market at the Border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, when the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland will be in separate customs territories? There must be some discussions about how that eventuality will be addressed on 1 April. Will the Tánaiste be frank with us and tell us exactly what will happen in that event?

As everybody knows, the common travel area is much more than simply an arrangement for common travel facilities to be provided. I do not need to list all the rights and privileges that are encompassed by the arrangement. At the media briefing yesterday, the Tánaiste indicated that a high-level memorandum of understanding will be soon signed. Has it yet been signed? If not, when will it be? Will it be laid before the House? If so, when will we have the chance to examine it? Yesterday, the Tánaiste said it will be underpinned by legislation in the compendium Bill.

Will further legislation be required or will all rights and privileges that are currently encompassed by the common travel area be encompassed in that Bill?

My final question is the one I asked in my speech earlier. Understandably, an enormous concentration up to this point from Government was on getting an agreement between the European Union and the UK on a withdrawal agreement. All the eggs were put into this basket. I know the Tánaiste still clings to that notion that can happen but the overwhelming vote in the House of Commons would indicate that there is very little likelihood of even a tweaked version of that being approved in Britain. What is the preferred option of our Government in relation to plan B or are we merely observers of what the British will determine?

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