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

I join others in extending heartfelt thoughts to Mr. Lunney and his family. He is the father of six children. I met him in recent months to discuss Brexit. As others set out, the attack on him was utterly vile and criminal and every effort must be made to bring those responsible to justice. It is also worth saying the attack does not represent the standards or spirit of people who live in the Border region. Those who acted in this way did so of their own accord.

Yesterday we watched as the latest chapter of the Boris Johnson Brexit circus unfolded in London. The Supreme Court in Britain ruled that Mr. Johnson's suspension of Parliament was unlawful. The British Prime Minister was caught out in his latest bluff by the courts. Let us be in no doubt that he is wedded to his Hallowe'en Brexit strategy, come what may. He refuses to accept the democratic decision of the people in the North who voted to remain in the European Union. It is clear that he lacks the maturity or skill necessary to deal with the complexities of his country's departure from the European Union. His international credibility is in absolute tatters after the latest debacle.

The real challenge for us in Ireland is to ensure we do not become bedazzled, or distracted, by the latest instalment of the great Westminster soap opera. If the British Prime Minister wants to disrespect his office and duties, that is his problem, but we cannot allow it to become Ireland's problem. His stupid and dangerous Brexit fantasy cannot become Ireland's nightmare. Despite the chaos that is enveloping the British political system, he has said he will push ahead with Brexit on 31 October. He has also said he has an operable alternative to the agreed backstop. He has stated he has an operable plan to avoid the reimposition of a hard border on this island. We have all waited a long time for the British Government to produce workable solutions that are grounded in sense and reality. If Mr. Johnson does, in fact, have such a plan, this is the time for him to produce it, but I do not believe he has a plan. His behaviour in the past two months, since he entered 10 Downing Street, suggests such pragmatism is beyond him. I believe he has deluded himself into believing he can hoodwink Ireland and the European Union. It is the Taoiseach's responsibility to call his bluff because far too much is at stake for the sense of entitlement of the British Prime Minister to be entertained. The peace agreements, the economy and the rights of Irish people are on the line. In his arrogance Mr. Johnson perhaps believes Ireland will be the collateral damage in the Tory Brexit. He needs to be put straight that that will not happen. He needs a dose of reality. The Taoiseach met Mr. Johnson yesterday - Athena and Hercules in conclave - in New York. I want the Minister to confirm for the Dáil that the Taoiseach has reiterated to the Prime Minister that the backstop remains the bottom line, that the guarantees contained within it cannot be bartered away and that there will be no circumstances in which we can countenance the return of a hard border. The people of Ireland, North and South, need that reassurance today.

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