Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is all out of order but I said I would respond briefly to it. We have looked at ways in which we could potentially think about representation in the European Parliament. When a country is an accession country, in the lead-in to joining the European Union, it often has observer status in the European Parliament. We have looked at that issue. I have raised it at Cabinet and elsewhere. There are real practical difficulties in doing what the Deputy is proposing, which is to set up a constituency for Northern Ireland, because Northern Ireland will be outside of the European Union. Whether one attaches voting rights to EU citizens, that is Irish citizens, and not British citizens, is something that the Deputy would have to think about very carefully with regard to consistency with the Good Friday Agreement and the principles of non-discrimination and so on in it. This is not an easy issue to resolve and we should not pretend that it is. I do not think that this legislation is the place for it.

While I am on my feet, I will say that this all relates to Part 15 of the Bill. Part 15 is very different to the rest of the Bill. The other 14 Parts are essentially about triggering a legislative response to a no-deal Brexit, should that happen. Part 15 is the opposite. It is about ensuring that if there is a withdrawal agreement, Part 15 would be commenced, which would effectively consider the United Kingdom as a member state for all intents and purposes for the transition period in the withdrawal agreement.

It will initially be a two-year period, unless the United Kingdom asks for an extension of one or two years, should it be needed. It is important to maintain the status quothrough the transition period to effectively consider the United Kingdom as a member state in terms of its treatment and consistency with EU directives, rules and regulations, for everything from trade to standards and so many other areas. That is what Part 15 does. It is the only section of the Bill that will actually take effect and be commenced if there is a deal. If there is no deal, the rest of the Bill will apply. There are no amendments to Part 15 that are in order.

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