Dáil debates

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements

 

8:10 pm

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The unspeakable murder of George Floyd has, I think, shocked us but it must not shock us into silence because racism unchallenged is racism encouraged. We as a State have to make sure that our words, our public statements, challenge and condemn racism and all who perpetrate it. Otherwise, our silence is encouragement. While I recognise the matter is delicate and there can be a fine line, nonetheless, as a sovereign State, we have a responsibility to make our position crystal clear because the words we use speak not only to the world but also to ourselves.

I wish to take the opportunity many Deputies have taken today to thank the Minister and his Department for their genuine and, as far as I know, successful efforts to bring home all those who were stranded due to the Covid-19 crisis. I am happy to say that it has been my experience over many years when I was in the European Parliament that Irish embassies, consulates and staff here in Dublin and various Ministers worked tirelessly to help Irish citizens abroad. Sometimes I do not think that is fully recognised here and I would just like to put it on the record.

I have two questions. The first concerns passports. I think the Minister said earlier that online applications will resume next week. I just want to check something with the Minister. I note the case of two people, a couple, who put in online applications at the same time. One of the passports has been delivered; the application process for the other is finished but the passport sits in the Passport Office. From next week can one expect that that passport will be sent to the applicant?

The Minister spoke earlier of Brexit and the huge challenge of a no-deal Brexit.

Today we heard about our €6 billion overall deficit and 750,000 people unemployed. Major challenges face us, but in the context of Brexit there is a real possibility - I will not go stronger than that - that we may default to World Trade Organization trading rules. Perhaps the most vulnerable sector is agriculture. What forward planning is in preparation at national and European level to protect agriculture from the shocks of WTO rules? The Tánaiste may be unable to answer me today. Perhaps he might also tell me what differences there would be between east-west trade and cross-border trade in the event of WTO rules applying.

Finally, the European Commission has relaxed rules around state aid. This has the possibility of benefiting larger countries and larger companies disproportionately. Has the Tánaiste any concerns around that?

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