Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Next week, the Taoiseach will attend a European Council meeting which is, arguably, taking place in potentially one of the most pivotal periods for the future of our country for some time. Many have alluded to the fact that Brexit will loom large. Who knows but maybe between now and then, we will have seen some indication from the British Government that the theatrics will be put to one side and we can get down to negotiating a fair settlement. The omens are not good. The fact that the British Government has already in a very blatant way acknowledged that it has breached international law in respect of the withdrawal agreement does not give much succour or cause for hope.

One of the concerns that is coming from my constituency, which is right on the Border, is the premise being adopted, it appears, by Government speakers and other speakers we have heard today that in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario, we would at least have the withdrawal agreement. The actions of the British Government must raise concerns that in the event of a no-deal scenario, we could very much end up in a situation where the British Government attempts to renege even on that agreement. We have to be cognisant of and prepared for that. We have asked the Taoiseach and Tánaiste numerous times to prepare for that eventuality. One of the outworkings of such an outcome would almost certainly be that the people of the North would be given an opportunity to decide whether they wanted to be under the jurisdiction of a British Government that would act in such a way or whether they would want to take the legal, democratic route afforded to them in the Good Friday Agreement to return to the European Union via Irish unity. We should be preparing for that eventuality, putting plans in place and ensuring that when people go to vote in such a scenario they know what they are voting for and that those who are advocating for the scenario of Irish unity, which I hope would include all parties in this House, will be united in saying what that would mean economically, constitutionally, socially and politically. We do not want to make the same mistake the Brexiteers made by striving for a political outcome and having no idea how to implement that outcome the day after the referendum.

Brexit will be a focal point for the Taoiseach at the European Council meeting next week. In addition, there are other major issues that need to be addressed at European level. The multi-annual financial framework still needs to be addressed, particularly how it pertains to the Common Agricultural Policy. At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine yesterday, the Minister was not able to confirm what the position would be in January with regard to important Pillar 2 schemes, such as the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, other environmental schemes, the sheep welfare scheme and the beef payment scheme. Recipients of payments from those schemes do not know what will be the position regarding their participation in these schemes, which are crucial not only to farmers’ incomes but for the rural economies that depend upon them. When we are dealing with the post Covid-19 economic scenario, these are crucial issues that need to be addressed.

I appeal to the Taoiseach to speak to his Spanish counterpart at the European Council meeting and tell him to engage with the people of Catalonia. Spain's actions in imprisoning political representatives are unacceptable and it is shameful that Ireland has not been stronger in standing up for democratic rights and self-determination for the people of Catalonia. I hope the Taoiseach will take the opportunity, if it is afforded to him next week, to make those points on behalf of the Irish people.

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