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

It is hard to believe that we are edging towards the cliff edge of a no-deal Brexit and yet it is not the main talking point in either this House or the wider community. Previously Members will recall that when a no-deal Brexit was arguably a vague concept, the previous Government had hosted information roadshows as part of an extensive PR exercise that also included engagement with businesses, communities and other affected sectors such as farmers. Yet now, here we are with a no-deal scenario as a live prospect, which could be just weeks away, but it seems that we are more ill-prepared than ever. There are no roadshows or extensive engagements and that, of course, is understandable considering that the Covid-19 pandemic has deflected attention. We are rightly concentrated on tackling the virus and the challenges it has brought.

Nobody should be under any illusions as to the dangers that we are now perilously close to with the absolute worst-case scenario right before our eyes. It is in that context that we need clarity. We need clarity on the Government's plans for all eventualities and on the EU supports that will be put in place. Those plans and supports need to be set out very clearly at this stage on a sector by sector and region by region basis. I come from the region that could be the most affected. We know that for the agrifood sector and for other export-dominated sectors, particularly those that have a strong and dominant relationship with Britain, a no-deal Brexit could spell absolute disaster. It is crucially important that the Government sets out its plans.

One of the concerns I have regarding the information we have received from the Government is an implicit belief that the British Government will adhere to the withdrawal agreement even in the event of an no-deal Brexit. I do not share that confidence. The withdrawal agreement was reluctantly agreed to by the British Government to secure a pathway towards a trade deal. If the British Government is to leave the EU without that trade deal and final settlement, I have no confidence, and history tells us that we should have no confidence, that it will adhere to its international obligations. It is in that context that the plans need to be set out to involve and resolve all scenarios. The plans must include the potential that we will need to have big constitutional discussions sooner than perhaps anybody would have believed was likely. We cannot face the prospect that this small island on the edge of Europe is dealt a situation where we have two economies operating not only back to back but in conflict with each other in two very different economic and trade scenarios. That would spell disaster for us and for our communities but also, in particular, for our peace process. It is in that context that we need to be big enough, brave enough and bold enough to allow people to have their say as to what the constitutional future of this island should be.

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