Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully support the Bill. The clock is ticking and we are now just seven weeks away from the UK leaving the Single Market and customs union. Prime Minister Johnson's cavalier approach to Brexit and the possibility of leaving the Union without a deal can be described only as a dangerous political experiment. It appears that appealing to the hard Brexiteers matters far more than doing the right thing by his country and people. The undermining of the Good Friday agreement in recent weeks has been absolutely reprehensible.

The election of Mr. Joe Biden as President of the United States last week will help to copper-fasten international support for Ireland. President-elect Biden recently tweeted:

We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit.

Any trade deal between the U.S. and U.K. must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border.

From Friday, 1 January 2021, how we trade with our near neighbours in the United Kingdom will be significantly different. Even if an 11th-hour free trade agreement is struck between the EU and UK, there will be still significant and enduring changes. It is essential that all businesses, regardless of their size, now focus on Brexit readiness because circumstances simply will not be the same. As Roy Keane famously said, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. This Bill will protect citizens and consumers. It will reduce the possibility of a serious disturbance to the Irish economy. Furthermore, it will facilitate the sound functioning of a number of key markets, sectors and fields.

One element of the Bill that I am really glad to see included is Part 15, which seeks to make legislative changes to the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act 1984.

We have a high level of dependency on British high street stores. In the event of one of them or, indeed, any British business becoming insolvent under UK law, this Bill would ensure a smooth transition of employer protections.

I welcome a number of other provisions, including reciprocal access to health services for residents of Ireland and the UK. There is an assurance that EU health insurance cards for residents of Northern Ireland will be in place if they lose cover at the end of the transition period. The Bill also provides for the continuance of crucial financial support to Irish third level students in UK colleges and maintains continuity of social protection arrangements in the common travel area.

I wish to raise the matter of aviation. Some in the sector see Brexit as giving Ireland a new opportunity in terms of international air cargo. Ireland, in particular Shannon Airport, is perfectly positioned as a stepping stone between the US and the EU. I implore the Minister to consider all of the possibilities to take advantage of cargo hub opportunities that will open up in the weeks and months ahead.

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