Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I will draw the House's attention to the political stability that we in this country currently have as we come to terms with the ongoing Brexit crisis. It has to be said that Fianna Fáil has played a major role in ensuring that we have that stability at this crucial time. There are undoubtedly many reasons this country needs a change in Government now. The housing and homelessness crisis and the numerous problems in the health service are just two. The failure to provide school places and to put in place adequate services for children with special needs is another. Until the outcome of Brexit is clear, however, the country will not be served by having a general election.

The position in the Oireachtas is in sharp contrast to what is happening across the water in Westminster. Parliament has been prorogued in unusual and controversial circumstances and it seems that the democratic institutions and political parties in the UK are at breaking point as they endeavour to respond to the Brexit crisis. All we can do is look on in disbelief. We have been aghast at what we have seen in the House of Commons night after night and at what is happening at Government level.

I wish to highlight the solidarity shown to Ireland by our EU partners. From day one, the President-elect of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, stood with Ireland on the backstop and the reasons for it to remain as part of the withdrawal agreement. I welcome the appointment of Mr. Phil Hogan as the new Commissioner dealing with trade issues. I have no doubt that he will play a crucial role if and when we get to the stage of negotiating a new trade agreement between the UK and the EU. The EU 27 Heads of State and Government have also stood with us. The latest demonstration of this was in the past few days when the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Mr. Xavier Bettel, outlined the position clearly. He is our new hero, so to speak. The European Parliament has stood with Ireland, and I welcome the motion it passed today.

As Deputy Lisa Chambers stated, Fianna Fáil believes that the backstop is an integral part of the withdrawal agreement and must remain in place. It protects the Good Friday Agreement, North-South co-operation and the all-Ireland economy. Will the Tánaiste update the House on the current state of play regarding the informal discussions taking place with the parties in Northern Ireland, in particular the DUP, with the UK Government, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Julian Smith, the Brexit Secretary of State, Mr. Stephen Barclay, the UK foreign Secretary, Mr. Dominic Raab, and others regarding the possibility of alternatives to the backstop and an amended deal? What exactly is under discussion and what progress has been made in respect of these talks? Is something happening? Will the Tánaiste outline the Government's position regarding the DUP? I note that its leader, Ms Arlene Foster, is in Dublin this evening. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has stated that any Brexit solution must be supported by unionists. Farming and business interests in Northern Ireland clearly want a deal. In an interview in last weekend's Sunday Independent, Mr. Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP outlined the need to agree alternative arrangements to protect cross-Border trade and co-operation in the form of practical solutions. Are meaningful discussions with the DUP under way?

Like everyone else in the House, I believe that any alternative to the backstop must be realistic, legally binding and workable. Is it the case that a Northern Ireland-only version of the backstop is being discussed? Mr. Nigel Farage informed the European Parliament today that the deal was almost done and that it would be presented at the European Council meeting of 17 October.

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