Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Not unlike the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I have been in this House for a good many years. I never thought I would have an experience such as this where I am participating in a debate on legislation which is supported from all sides of the House but which nobody hopes will be implemented. Of course, it is part of a bigger picture. I do not know how much it will cost. I have been given no definitive figure from the Government for how much it will cost to mitigate the Brexit infection from spreading across the Irish Sea. There is no doubt it will cost a considerable amount and it is money that would be much better spent on health and housing.

Despite recent events in Westminster having brought about a situation whereby the probability of a hard Brexit has receded somewhat, there is still no doubt it is a possibility. Everyone has spoken of the incalculable damage it is likely to do to the economies of both the UK and Ireland. Yet, despite everyone's realisation of this fact, particularly the United Kingdom, the destructive insanity and the political self-flagellation continues unabated in Westminster. A rump of the Conservative party, insulated by their wealth from the concerns of the rest of the world, continues with this crusade for nationalistic British purification.

Everyone on all sides of the House agrees this legislation is necessary - we have to pass it and we must be prepared - including those who, had they had their way, would have had us out on the streets canvassing for an election this week rather than being here debating this legislation.

The Government says it has been two years preparing for the eventuality of Brexit. There are several unanswered questions. The Government has been asked on a number of occasions what provisions it has in place to deal with the Border in the event of a no-deal Brexit. That is a clear and unambiguous question to which we have not been given a clear and unambiguous answer. The Government's contingency plans, which I have read, are vague, to put it mildly. As we approach Brexit or B-Day we need clarity on these matters and we need it urgently, in view of the fact that we are supporting the Government because of the threat to the national economy.

If the Government has been preparing for the past two years, why are we one of the last, if not the last, State in the EU to introduce this type of legislation? Why is it only being introduced at the last possible moment?

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