Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate. It is truly an historic debate we are having in this Parliament. It is important to remind the House of the value of the withdrawal agreement that has been put in place. It has the capacity to provide stability economically, socially and politically on these islands. It is, as it states itself, an opportunity for the negotiations that follow the withdrawal treaty to be an ambitious agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union and is something everyone in the EU, Ireland and the UK wants. We want to maximise the opportunity for trade and for the continuing close economic and social relationships we have enjoyed. Importantly, the agreement also provides for a transition period to avoid uncertainty and surprises, which would clearly have a profound impact on enterprise as well as ordinary citizens. The agreement provides an insurance policy, which has been important to Ireland, such that in the event of an agreement not being reached, there will still be a customs territory between the UK and the EU, level playing field rules will operate to allow that to work, there will be no customs obstacles for Northern Ireland in gaining access to the Single Market and there will be alignment of rules in Northern Ireland where necessary to avoid a hard border. The elements of the agreement form an agreed approach between all the member states of the European Union, including the UK, which is exiting. The agreement provides the framework within which we can develop really strong continuing economic relations.

Have I ten or 20 minutes?

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