Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The internal market Bill which is currently before the House of Commons has demonstrated and categorically defined the British Prime Minister's stance and his dismissive attitude towards the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland and, indeed, international law. I welcome the support from the EU 27 and the USA, particularly Nancy Pelosi, in coming out strongly in defence of the Good Friday Agreement, the people of the North and the Border counties. The catchphrase that we are all in this together could not be more aptly used than during the current impasse.

We must now deal with the fallout from Brexit and its repercussions for the beef industry, agrifood exports, the fishing industry, hauliers, retailers, tourism and ports, all of which are major active economic players in the commerce of our nation, including in my county of Wexford. We must be geared up and tooled up to face the inevitable challenges of bureaucratic tax regulations and the reams of paperwork that will follow, not to mention the impending long delays for businesses and industries that will add crippling costs to doing business. I am sure that, even at this late stage, the Minister will move to protect, without prejudice, the Good Friday Agreement and the Irish protocol. We must also protect the fishing industry and coastal communities. The answer is not to tie up boats at piers or to park tractors on beef farms, which would result in the loss of thousands of jobs, including in County Wexford.

I conclude by asking the Minister about Rosslare Europort and the preparations there. Has the Government prepared a traffic impact management plan for Rosslare Europort as it did for Dublin Port? If not, when will that be done? There are many risks to be considered for every constituency on this island when it comes to Brexit. We must act now to deal with the fallout and to protect the Good Friday Agreement and all Ireland's communities.

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