John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Varadkar, yesterday described what was emerging about the British Government's approach as "sabre-rattling". Today, however, we heard that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, has confirmed the intention of the British Government to introduce domestic legislation that would clearly breach international law and he stated that fact himself. That has major potential to impact on the Irish protocol.

Attempts by the EU's negotiators, over many months, to find compromises have not been reciprocated by the British Government. Indeed, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, stated that he believes a no-deal Brexit would be a good outcome. That would certainly not be the case on this island.

We need to reiterate that a no-deal Brexit will not be a good outcome for this island and that the Irish protocol is not up for renegotiation and cannot be undermined. Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, assure this House that the Government has the capacity to add steel to the resolve of the EU as it confronts the egregious attempts by the Tory Bullingdon club to place itself beyond the pale of the international system?

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