Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Does the Taoiseach see any prospect that powersharing will be re-established in Northern Ireland in the foreseeable future, or did he get the impression that both Sinn Féin and the DUP are committed to not being involved in the Executive and not allowing the Assembly to recommence its work? Was a border poll discussed with any of the parties during the Taoiseach's meetings? Did the DUP outline to him the legal changes it wants to be made to the backstop, or is it simply rowing in behind the British Conservative Party position? Does it have a separate position on Northern Ireland? It would be interesting to know that. Was there any discussion about the type of changes it wants to see that would mean it might support some kind of withdrawal deal? I am talking about the withdrawal deal that has been negotiated or any variation of it, if available.

The president of Sinn Féin has recently stated that the next Chief Constable of the PSNI should come from outside the force. Does the Taoiseach agree with that proposal? Is he aware of whether other parties, such as the Alliance Party and the DUP, share that view? Was there any discussion about policing in Northern Ireland? Policing has been supported in Northern Ireland for a long number of years by all the parties, and it seems that may be about to change. Can the Taoiseach tell us about his discussions on that issue?

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