Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am privileged to take part in this debate, which is of huge importance for the country and the European project, that bright shining idea that brought together the nations of Europe following catastrophic and appalling world wars in the 20th century and many other wars in the 19th century and earlier. This vision of a united Europe incorporated all of us, including old enemies such as Britain and Ireland, France and England and Germany and France. When we read history we see how important the vision of a united Europe is. Britain leaving the European Union, as it proposes to do, is a huge historic negative step that weakens the great idea of Europe and weakens all of us, which is very sad. It will affect the economy, our people and the way we look at the future. In decades to come, Britain's departure from the EU, which appears likely, will weaken that great vision.

This Parliament is taking steps. I laud the Ministers on this side of the House, in particular the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, who has fought a fantastic battle on behalf of our country. I listened carefully to the speech of Deputy Lisa Chambers of Fianna Fáil. The Deputy's party and other parties in the House support and stand behind the great European project and our policy of keeping this nation as part of the great EU bloc.

One of the seismic events in Ireland's history over the past couple of hundred years was the Act of Union. It caused trauma to the country and afterwards there was war between Britain and Ireland when Irish nationalists sought to break the connection with Britain. We cannot lose sight of the sacrifices people made then, nor can we lose sight of the sacrifices people made in the 20th century. I come from a family that has a republican side, as two of my father's brothers fought in the War of Independence, while my mother lost a brother who died in the Second World War, with the same vision for a Europe that was free of fascism. We must never forget those times and we must always remember all of those people.

The key issue for Ireland is what will happen in the North. While the majority of people in the North have stated they want to stay in Europe, a minority nonetheless want to leave and they have power in Westminster. They are forcing the pace of the British Government and I very much regret this. I regret that the DUP drum beats loudly in Westminster and, at times, I wish it was not doing so. I wish it would listen to what the majority of people in Northern Ireland want. At the same time, there is no nationalist voice in Westminster. There is no voice stating that nationalists in the North want to participate in the vote in Parliament. If I were there, I would say this would be the lesser of two evils, even from Sinn Féin's point of view, which I respect. I am not being disparaging in my comments. I respect Sinn Féin has a strong view on this but it is the lesser of two evils to have us all in Europe, North and South, than to have the North not being part of that great Union.

I challenge Sinn Féin to step up to the mark on this. The people will not forgive that party if it does not do so. Sinn Féin now carries the flag for nationalists, who were previously represented with a strong voice by the SDLP. If that voice echoed in the chambers of Westminster and if those votes counted, it could make the difference between Britain staying in Europe or not. This is the reality. This is the challenge Sinn Féin has to face and I profoundly disagree with what it is doing in this respect. It is very sad and it concerns me greatly with regard to all of the young people to come, North and South. Their hopes and futures - all of our tomorrows - rest on this hugely important vote.

The strength of our economy has left Ireland in a much stronger position than it was in the 1920s. Back then, we would never have had the strength to move away from Britain. I remember the vote in the 1970s on joining the European Economic Community. Farmers were very concerned because they knew if we had stayed the way we were, they would not have had the markets they subsequently secured. How greatly the country prospered because of that decision. Our country, economy and will are strong, as is how we are building consensus through our civil servants, Ministers and Parliament. The worst of all worlds would be if Britain goes over the cliff. This is still my concern, notwithstanding the changes that have taken place in English politics in recent days. It is still a very deep and abiding concern. This debate is very important. I challenge us all to think again, step up to the mark and ensure future generations will not ask why we ran such a risk and why so many jobs were lost.

The two major parties in Northern Ireland are not working together. They were elected more than two years ago to form an administration to represent the votes they had received. They also have Members of Parliament but nothing is happening at this most serious, difficult and challenging time for everybody on this island, particularly in the North. Neither party is talking to the other and there is no consensus. There is no step forward and I regret this very much. I am not saying Sinn Féin is to blame or that the DUP is to blame, separately or individually, but for God's sake they must work together. That is the only future we can have.

I think about those issues deeply. The Tánaiste referred to his three children. I also have three children, although mine are somewhat older than his. One of them is married and living in England. The first thing I said to her after the Brexit vote was that she should ensure her baby gets an Irish passport in order to be a European citizen. Ireland has significant connections with Britain. There is significant interaction between the countries. What divided us in the past no longer divides us in many respects. I want us to share our heritage with Britain, as has been the case in recent years as members of the European Union. We were able to look forward and outwards instead of looking in. There may be very difficult times ahead. We should share our experiences into the future.

I live in a Border constituency and the last thing I want is Border posts with police and uniformed Revenue officers stopping people because that would drag us back to that awful place in which we once were. I remember crossing the Border as a young man. As I am sure the Leas-Cathaoirleach will remember, one could not get Opal Fruits in the South. One could buy books in the North that were not available in the South. Going up there was a big experience. Obviously, we will not return to that era of censorship. My point is that Brexit is divisive and would infringe on equal rights North and South. It will divide and harm us greatly if it comes to pass. I congratulate all those who will vote for the Bill.

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