Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all acknowledge we are in crisis mode at the moment. I commend the Government on brining forward the legislation, albeit at the last minute. We should have been working on this sooner. Already today, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, has stated that he will have to bring in amendments to his part of the omnibus legislation.

In talking about this, we must acknowledge the goodwill of the British people. A democratic decision was taken across the water, although we did not want it. As a democratic country, we know it is not for us to get involved in the arguments that have arisen. Some of those who were against Brexit should have spoken louder before 2016 and driven home the emphasis on the crisis situation that could arise in the North if there was a no-deal Brexit and a hard border. All of that should have been highlighted by the experts involved in the negotiations in recent decades. While I commend them on bringing peace to the North, it must be stated that when the horse is bolting, people need to act. Another issue is whether, if there had been no election in 2017, which led to dependence on the Unionists, we would be any better off with regard to the backstop. Would Theresa May be telling us that she had to include the backstop given there might then be the threat of the Armalite from the opposing group in the Six Counties?

We have to move on and be positive. We are speaking at a time when the word "economic" is used as a weapon for making attacks instead of the sword or the gun. I hope the legislation is of a sound nature. I listened to some of my colleagues today and last night comment that the Bill is simply of a technical nature and constitutes a face-saving exercise. I hope the legislation does not come under scrutiny at a critical point if we have a no-deal Brexit, which no one wants. At the same time, we cannot be condescending about our friends across the road.

Transport is a crisis issue for this country, given our isolation from mainland Europe and from other world markets, and much of this will also affect the Department of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, who is present in the House. Due to the use of the landbridge, we get lorries across to Dover and on to mainland Europe with our exports. With regard to perishable exports, if the landbridge becomes congested or inoperable, has the Government gone to the market to source potential roll-on, roll-off ferries so that, instead of depending on the landbridge, we would have our own ferries organised to get to mainland Europe? It is an issue of major concern.

The Government has launched its 2040 development plan.

That was based on a scenario of this country working fine as a cohesive 32-county unit and that everything was going according to plan with exports to Britain. The question now, however, is whether the NDP will have to be reviewed because of a change in the direction of our exports and the need to do business with other countries. Agricultural exports have been mentioned. It may have been the fault of my party and previous Governments that before we joined the EU, we were completely dependent on the British market for our exports. I refer to goods such as cheddar cheese and beef, whether live or in carcase form. I commend the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and his predecessor, Deputy Coveney, on going abroad on trade delegations and opening up new markets. At the end of the day, however, when we sit down and analyse the markets we have opened up they still only account for minute percentages of our exports in comparison to the British market.

I recall the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, coming home a few years ago stating he has secured access to the market in America where we could sell a few T-bone steaks. My response at the time was that he might well have opened the market but perhaps the Americans might also send their cheap buffalo beef to us. We do not seem to be making proper inroads into attaining access to other markets for our dairy and beef produce. That has to be re-examined. One of the solutions I request the Minister to examine is increasing the level of credit export insurance. That was mentioned previously in the context of Iran and Iraq but there are also other markets. In the past, we have also dealt with Egypt and Libya. Those countries have always been in turmoil no matter what decade we have been exporting to them.

Even without the impact of Brexit, beef prices are at an all-time low, especially those for bull beef. There are, however, other markets we can get into. It is a concern for exporters because they cannot go to the farmers, hand over money, have the animals end up on a boat to some other jurisdiction and then wait a good while for payments. Will the Minister to revisit the issue of export credit insurance? That would be welcome and might help our live exports in particular.

Whatever happens with Brexit, it is fast approaching. We may be lucky and it may not impact on Cheltenham. Ireland has had major achievements in equine sports and the equine industry. That gives us a good name and shows what a good country this is for horse breeding. That is also the case with showjumping and other activities relating to horses, such as racing, etc. How are we fixed in those areas? If something goes wrong and a no-deal Brexit kicks in, what will happen to that major industry? God only knows the number of people employed directly or indirectly in the industry. Many a small farmer has a good mare, which can be a major source of income. It allows them to stay on the land and make a living from it. It is an industry we have to cherish and protect. The big operators also create jobs as well.

I fully abide by my party leader's decision to hold tough on any contentious issues. I support the Brexit legislation put forward by the Government. There should be unanimity and cohesion between all parties. I take offence, however, that some Members from other parties have been criticising Fianna Fáil over the past few days. I have the green card and the Taoiseach has played the green card to the best of his ability. He has gone to Europe and secured an agreement to safeguard our economy and the peace process in the North. Then I hear Sinn Féin Members attacking us and asking where our green card is. However, has Sinn Féin lost its green card? That party is more focused on world socialism and neoliberal policies. Perhaps it is trying to push those policies on the back of another country’s woes.

I am delighted the peace process has succeeded in the North. That was built on the unanimity of consent and, hopefully, that will eventually bring us into a 32-county republic. That is important. Even the spokespeople from the smaller parties were belittling us on where we stand. Fianna Fáil, however, has done its best. It is helping and standing behind the Government on the issues of concern at the moment. Regarding the one or two questions I asked, will the Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Agriculture, Food and the Marine, come back and give a positive response? I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute and I hope this legislation will be passed but not required. It is, however, important to ensure it is in place and workable.

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