Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to contribute on this important topic, although it is like a spinning top in that we do not know whether we are coming or going. The EU 27 leaders will meet tomorrow, 10 April, to discuss the latest developments on Brexit. In fact, it is an iconic date for people in south Tipperary as the leader of the Irish Republican Army, General Liam Lynch, met his death on that date. We commemorated that last Sunday.

The European Council meeting is happening as a result of the rejection of the withdrawal agreement by the House of Commons. On 5 April last, the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, sent a letter to Donald Tusk asking for an extension to Article 50. She proposed the date of 30 June 2019, adding that the UK Government would continue to prepare to hold European Parliament elections should the UK still be a member at the time of the elections. That is confusing in its own right, and it is obviously confusing for the constituencies here which are set to get an extra seat each, Ireland South and Midlands North West. People do not know whether they are coming or going. However, that is probably not unusual here. The Government does not know whether it is coming or going on many issues, not to mention Brexit. I have acknowledged the hard work of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of Brexit on several occasions, as well as the various briefings he has given us. That is unlike his boss who has sometimes said things that sent out mixed messages. The Tánaiste has put a great deal of hard work into this.

I am delighted he found time to visit Cluain Meala last Thursday evening. It is a pity he did not let me know he was coming as I would have been there to meet him. I am delighted he called to our mutual friends, the wonderful businessmen, Mr. John FitzGerald, and his colleague, Mr. Donagh Dougan, to see their new expanded offices in this rising economy. They are two good business people who are providing great employment. I am glad the Tánaiste had time to call to them and if he had let me know, I would have had a cup of tea ready for him in my office. I hope he got tea anyway. In Tipperary we always give a special fáilte for a Cork man.

On 21 March, the EU 27 leaders decided to delay the Brexit date until 12 April 2019 should the withdrawal agreement be rejected. It has been delayed. It is clear, therefore, that we are in incredibly dangerous times in terms of the chaos and inability that is afflicting Westminster. The Prime Minister, Mrs. May, has almost caused a civil war in her party by reaching out to the Labour Party leader, Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, who she has repeatedly said is unfit for government. This is creating major additional instability.

I heard the leader of the Labour Party in this country, who would not claim to have anything to do with the Labour Party leader in the UK, call for a five-year delay. There is merit in that for one reason, namely, the absolute uncertainty that has been created for Irish business people, workers, farmers and everybody in the Twenty-six Counties. There has been absolute nonsense. Confusion has reigned. I must refer again to the EU leaders. When the sovereign people of Great Britain decided to leave they received much derision and many lectures from the big boys in Europe. That was uncalled for and did not help. I believe it poured petrol on the emerging flames.

We are in a perilous situation. When we had referendums on the Nice and Lisbon treaties - we will be discussing another one later - we went back to the people again. That is the type of democracy we have here, an elasticated one. We even have an elasticated Government and a confidence and supply agreement. The pipe is jerking but the water is still going through. It is a case of "I am all right, Jack". The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, is fine. There is no need to worry about the cervical cancer or the children's hospital, on which there is a report out today. The Government has a free pass to do what it likes, but that is no good to the man who wants bread and butter on his table and to look after his children's future. We have passed the omnibus legislation but that will not be good enough either.

There is complete uncertainty. If there is a crash out, which almost happened and still might, it would be economic sabotage. It would be waging economic war on us in our little island country. I do not use those words lightly. That is the impact it would have. Uncertainty has been generated and it has mushroomed. One day the Taoiseach says we will have soldiers on the Border, next he says there will be no Border. Then there are the customs and Revenue Commissioners staff being hired. What will we do with all the people we hire if we do not need them on the Border? I hope we do not need them there. The Good Friday Agreement, and this is its anniversary, must be respected. It is an international agreement. People such as the late Fr. Alec Reid, my former colleague, Dr. Martin Mansergh, and many others played a part in that and it cannot be touched.

We are putting up with too much. We are being the nice boys in Europe, but what are we getting at times from our friends across the Border? We are getting kicked where it hurts. That is not good enough. Too many people's livelihoods and too many people's hard work in setting up expert businesses in manufacturing, agrifood and other industries are affected. The people are having sleepless nights and do not know when the end will come, so I believe there is merit in what Deputy Howlin said. I do not agree with him on many matters much of the time but we need to have a decent period in which to work on a withdrawal date, if there will be a withdrawal date. We must stop the knee-jerk reactions that we only have 20 or 30 days more and that we might see what happens in the European elections. It should not be up to us in this Parliament to second-guess who might be elected to the European Parliament to represent the people of Great Britain. Everybody who is elected has the right to be in the Parliament regardless of where they come from. They are elected by the people and that is democracy. We should not be sounding off as to who might represent England. Obviously, we must have clarification of whether it will have seats. That is why we need certainty, now more than ever.

I compliment the Tánaiste, as I have done several times both privately and publicly, on his tireless efforts in this area. However, the man who was sitting to his right earlier, the boss, has been a little flippant at times and all over the place. That is nothing unusual. He is used to that, along with sending selfies and so forth.

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