Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. Although I understand that the Irish Government has to be open to trying to find a solution, most people looking on would be in the same space as Manufacturing Northern Ireland in believing that the British Government is trying to give the impression of being reasonable while hoping that the proposals will be rejected and it can return to what all of this is really about, that being, best positioning itself for a UK general election. That is a dangerous situation for the people not only of this island, but of Britain, and its conclusion will lead us into a bad space.

Regardless of whether we have a backstop or agreement, there are a range of elements on this side of the Border on which we need to work. An example was provided to me a few days ago. When a person who was born in the North and now lives and works in the South but who has a Northern Ireland driver licence went to get it changed, that person was told it would have to be surrendered and there would be a wait of three months before an Irish one could be provided. If that person is stopped by the Garda, the person will be prosecuted for not carrying a licence. People across the country are dealing with practical issues like this on a day-to-day basis. While the big politics is going on, ordinary people on the ground are having major problems. The Government needs to make a better effort to acknowledge those problems and do something to alleviate them.

See this speech in context