Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Seo muid ar ais tar éis saoire an tsamhraidh agus níl aon duine cinnte faoin mhéid a tharlóidh amach anseo maidir leis an Bhreatimeacht. Ach caithfimid bheith cinnte faoi seo: níor chóir go mbeadh aon teorainn no córas custaim i bhfeidhm in Éirinn. Returning to the Chamber after the summer recess, we are no wiser as to whether the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will take Britain out of the European Union with or without a deal. In spite of his claims, I fear he is, at best, agnostic on which option he should choose.

We must ensure that there is no form of border or customs checks in Ireland. Many citizens and businesses are frustrated by the ongoing posturing and indecision in London and the consequences this may have for this island. For those who are so frustrated and feel that there is no positive way for them to influence the situation, I wish to commend the approach taken by my party colleagues. I especially endorse the strong comments made earlier today by my colleague, Martina Anderson, MEP, who outlined a pathway for Ireland remaining in the European Union, protecting the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring that all the consequent benefits arising from it in terms of trade and enterprise are not squandered. Of course, that pathway is a referendum on Irish unity. The French President, Emmanuel Macron, recently came out in favour of unity as the way to keep all of Ireland within the European Union. There is a clear commitment from the EU that in the event of a successful unity referendum, Ireland as a whole could remain part of the European Union. We need the Government to join others and begin the preparations for such a scenario. I note that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, who is present, stated that he would like to see a united Ireland within his political lifetime. I welcome that sentiment; it is the expression and hope of most Deputies in this House. Regardless of one's age, ensuring something occurs within one's political lifetime requires imminent preparation and planning. A debate on Irish unity is needed as a solution to the Brexit chaos. We need it to be respectful of all the opinions on this island. In order for the optimum number of opinions to be heard, we need the debate to occur in advance of any proposed constitutional change.

We need the Government to identify exactly how it intends to deal with the worst-case scenario as outlined in the Operation Yellowhammer report. Recent revelations in the Yellowhammer document regarding health services show that the British Government is unwilling to listen to its own experts. Given the current rancour in the British body politic, it is difficult to have any confidence in assurances from Whitehall, let alone rely on them as part of our preparations for Brexit. That report is now a matter of common knowledge. I do not wish for the Government to take its lead from a report by the British civil service or any section of the British Government, but we need far more detail on the supports and assistance that will be available here. I join other Deputies in making that point strongly this evening.

Border communities want a far more proactive response from the Government to these latest concerns. That is not a criticism of what the Government has been doing with the support of all parties in this House but, rather, a clear expression of exasperation and fear at what may lie ahead. Those communities want their elected Government to be upfront and honest with them. They want to know what the Government is doing in preparation for what appears to be ahead of us. Ringing the warning bells in the final minutes of the countdown will not cut it. Many fear we are heading, Titanic-like, for the Brexit iceberg. That is not good enough. Our people, economy and island deserve better than the daily platitudes from the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other Government spokespersons. It is time to spell out in detail the measures that will be introduced to help secure the interests of Irish business and people, especially those in the Border counties.

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