Dáil debates

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements

 

5:15 pm

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch as an deis labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo um thráthnóna. Once again, the European Council meets tomorrow to discuss the Brexit debacle and specifically to discuss another request by the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, for an extension to the Article 50 process. Brexit was a bad decision made worse by the refusal of the British Government to deal with the reality of the needs of Ireland, its failure to meet its own commitments, and a startling lack of understanding of the rules-based nature of the European Union. The approach by the British Government has only created greater uncertainty and instability, and that approach continues to this day, because despite the speculation, the commentary and the Westminster drama, the British Government and Parliament are in reality no closer to accepting the withdrawal agreement. While we all wish to avoid a crash or disorderly Brexit, we have to accept that that is, sadly, a real prospect or possibility. At this 11th hour we need to ask that logic and rationality might finally prevail.

Any extension must maintain pressure on the British Government to deliver the withdrawal agreement, with all of its limitations, because our citizens, businesses and society require certainty and stability. Therefore, any extension, whatever its duration, must be an extension with a purpose. The important thing is not the granting of the extension to Article 50 in and of itself. The important and potentially significant thing is where any extension might lead in respect of Brexit and its impact on our country. We must remain steadfast in that view.

The withdrawal agreement, and the Irish protocol and backstop in particular, must be honoured as the least worst option for our island and it cannot be renegotiated or picked apart in any way. What the withdrawal agreement offers, and I made this case to the Labour Party leadership in Britain yesterday, is a deal that mitigates against some of the worst aspects of Brexit for Ireland.

It is a means of upholding, in some way, the democratic will of the majority of the people of the North who voted to remain, as well as the majority view of people in the South who do not want a hard border on this island under any circumstances. Neither the withdrawal agreement nor the backstop are the perfect answer to Brexit for Ireland. In any event, our country, our island, will incur damage. It is a matter of degree and extent.

A no-deal scenario is in nobody’s interests, whether in Dublin, London, Belfast, Cork or Derry. It is something none of us wants to see. In the absence of an agreement and the backstop, there is no way of guaranteeing that there will be no return to a hard border, that citizens’ rights will be protected or that the Good Friday Agreement will be upheld in all of its parts. I have set out on many occasions to the British Prime Minister what must happen if there is no deal and, therefore, no backstop. I set out very clearly that in the event of no deal, what we will require is a backstop because the protections required and committed to for Ireland must be honoured in full. I also said to her that in the event of no deal and a crash out, then the constitutional question looms large and it must be put to the people of the North by way of a referendum. That is essential. The Taoiseach and the Government must also now articulate that view because the onus must be on the Irish Government and on us in this Dáil always to defend and promote an all-island view. That has, regrettably, been lacking in challenging times during the course of this State’s history. It is not enough to say that no Irish Government will ever leave the North behind. Deeds in this context say much more than words. I once again press the Taoiseach on the need to prepare for change, and that preparation must include the convening of an all-Ireland forum on Irish unity as well the preparation of a White Paper on Irish unity. That work should be initiated immediately, deal or no deal.

If there is an extension to the Article 50 process, then it is inevitable there will be elections to the European Parliament in a couple of weeks in the North. Sinn Féin will be there. We will contest, as we always do, and we will give the people an opportunity to vote for a candidate who will stand for their interests and who has stood for their interests, for Ireland’s interests and against the efforts of the Brexiteers and the DUP to ride roughshod over the Good Friday Agreement, over progress and over people's rights. I take this opportunity to invite all of the other parties here to do likewise. They can be vocal when it comes to criticising Sinn Féin’s record in the North, as they see it, so let them avail of this opportunity and put their own pitch to the people of the North.

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