Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy O'Reilly's important proposals. The Minister has told the House that, "Under the Good Friday Agreement, all the people of Northern Ireland are recognised as having the birthright to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose". Accordingly, the right to hold both Irish and British citizenship extends to them. Given the currency of this matter, it is quite disgraceful that the Taoiseach spoke about it in such a dismissive tone this afternoon. The DeSouza judgment flies in the face of every piece of legislation of this nature that we try to put through the House. Regardless of whether Brexit is accompanied by a deal, we are in big trouble if we do not have an understanding that the Good Friday Agreement remains intact and all of its provisions apply to the people of Northern Ireland almost as if they were sacred. I do not think the people of this country appreciated the sarcastic and dismissive tone that was used by the Taoiseach this afternoon when this issue was raised on Leaders' Questions. The good news is that Ms DeSouza has announced in the last few hours that she intends to continue her legal battle. Rather than criticising people for making demands or insisting that this issue be dealt with, the Government and the Minister for Health should welcome Ms DeSouza's decision. If it does nothing else, it will back up the Government's attempt to legislate for the equal rights of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and beyond.

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