Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity of speaking to this important debate on the Brexit omnibus Bill.

My position is quite clear. The best way forward at this time is to ratify the withdrawal agreement. The best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal and protect the Good Friday Agreement is to ratify the withdrawal agreement agreed between the EU and the British Government. As has been made clear by the President of the European Council, Mr. Tusk, and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Juncker, on many occasions, including during the Taoiseach's recent visit to Brussels, the EU stands by the withdrawal agreement. It is not open for renegotiation and there can be no withdrawal agreement without the backstop. If the UK's intentions for the future partnership were to evolve, the EU is prepared to reconsider its offer and adjust the content and the level of ambition of the political declaration. The EU is also committed to achieving an ambitious and comprehensive future partnership with the UK. The British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Juncker, agreed earlier this month that their teams will hold talks on whether a way through can be found that would gain the broadest possible support in the UK Parliament and respect the EU's position. These contacts are ongoing.

The backstop is an insurance policy for avoiding a hard border in all scenarios. The backstop is about protecting the peace process and it is essential that we focus on this issue. Even today, we have seen the Supreme Court judgment in London in the Pat Finucane case. I want to use this opportunity to commend Mrs. Geraldine Finucane and her family and friends and supporters on their dedicated work on this case. It is now up to the British Government to react. This morning, I met the families of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings who have issues that they want resolved and who have the total support of all Members of the Dáil. It is not inevitable that the backstop will be used. If the backstop were to be triggered, it would be temporary unless and until a better solution is found.

The EU has made clear that the withdrawal agreement must include the backstop. As Mr. Juncker and the Taoiseach stated in their recent joint statement, "the backstop is not a bilateral issue, but a European one". The backstop cannot be time limited and cannot have a unilateral exit clause. Otherwise, it would not be a backstop. The UK has consistently accepted the need for a backstop. The EU is committed to exploring and trying to agree alternative arrangements with the UK to replace the backstop in the future. However, there are currently no alternative arrangements which anyone has put forward that achieve what both sides are determined to achieve, that is, avoiding a hard border. The best way forward now is to ratify the withdrawal agreement and to use the time and space provided by the transition period to begin exploring alternative arrangements.

The Government is not preparing for a hard border. It is not acceptable. There is no secret plan. Ireland and the EU are at one on this. The EU has been clear that it is determined to do all it can, deal or no deal, to avoid the need for a border and to protect the peace process, and that has got to be our focus. It is essential that we protect our focus.

Looking at the details of the Bill, for example, Part 14 amends the Immigration Act 2004 to give an immigration officer the power to take fingerprints of a person for the purpose of a person's application for an Irish visa or transit visa where he or she thinks it necessary for ensuring the integrity of the common travel area. This Part dealing with the Immigration Act is important to the immigration issue because there has been much negativity. We have our own problems in this country as well and we should be strong on protecting the integrity of our attitude towards immigrants and being supportive of them. We ourselves are a nation of emigrants. We should be the ones showing leadership on this issue and we should not tolerate any racist comments in any situation in our own country. It is out there. It is under the radar. That is something that all political leaders should be conscious of.

If the UK chooses to leaves the EU without a deal, Ireland and the EU will have responsibilities in terms of ensuring protection of the Single Market and the customs union. The UK will have its own responsibilities, including meeting WTO requirements. We will also have our obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and to ensure peace and stability in the North of Ireland. No matter what the outcome is to Brexit, Ireland will continue to be a full member of the EU with all the benefits of the Single Market and the customs union. When the UK committed to the backstop in December 2017, it also committed to respecting the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland's place in it, and the UK has to do that.

The Government is still focused on achieving a deal but is preparing for all scenarios, including a no-deal scenario. A Brexit of any kind means change and we must prepare for this unprecedented challenge. Ireland will be the most impacted country in the EU. It is not possible to mitigate fully a no-deal scenario. It will be about damage limitation. These are the concerns that many of the Members have. The Government's contingency action plan shows preparations under way. It covers over 30 issues, across Departments and agencies.

On 22 February, we published the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019. This includes the legislation required immediately in a no-deal scenario. We are working with the Oireachtas to ensure that the Bill is in place by 29 March. I again commend all Deputies in this House on their strong support and unity on this issue. The Bill provides for continued access to healthcare, social security protection, student support, protection of consumers, and justice and security measures in support of the common travel area; measures to facilitate co-operation across the island of Ireland, including transport and energy; and additional measures to support business.

Unlike what many Deputies have claimed, the Government's preparation work is not new. The last three budgets introduced supports to help businesses prepare for Brexit. Cabinet discusses Brexit preparations weekly. Departments and agencies hold regular stakeholder meetings. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders on Brexit continues to be a central part of the Government's preparations for Brexit. The fifth all-island civic dialogue on Brexit was held only last week. It is important that east-west trade flows operate as smoothly as possible. Work on this is under way in the form of additional infrastructure, the hiring of extra staff, such as customs, veterinary and food safety, and ICT.

Recently the Government agreed to ease some of the cashflow burden for businesses in the event of a no-deal Brexit through the introduction of postponed VAT accounting. In the past two weeks, the Government held Brexit events in six counties, and more events are planned. Revenue has contacted more than 80,000 businesses to advise on steps that they may need to take. The Department of Health is working with industry to inform GPs, patients and hospitals and to avoid stockpiling medicine. Physical work has begun on temporary infrastructure in both Dublin and Rosslare ports. It is important that we understand that much groundwork has been and is being done, and it is wrong for some Opposition Deputies to state that this is not happening.

A no-deal Brexit is the worst possible outcome for this country. It is not in anyone's interest, whether in the UK, Ireland or the EU. Our EU membership is the greatest protection against the challenges that Brexit will bring. The EU is a home that we all have helped to build. The latest Eurobarometer survey found that 85% of Irish people think EU membership is still a good thing. That does not mean one cannot be critical.

We can push for a more equal Europe built on strong, comprehensive social policies as well. Whatever the outcome of the Brexit process, Ireland will remain in the European Union, with all the stability and certainty that membership builds. It is essential that we look very carefully at this legislation.

I thank all colleagues from the different parties, as well as Independent colleagues, for their support on this very important matter. It will be difficult over the next couple of weeks but the best way forward now is to ratify the withdrawal agreement.

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