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

This Brexit omnibus Bill sets out in stark terms the challenges that face our country in trying to mitigate the impact of Brexit, particularly a no-deal or bad deal Brexit. In essence, this Bill is the lowest common denominator in terms of Brexit readiness. The truth is that we will be powerless in terms of many of the damaging aspects that will arise as a result of the British continuing their current reckless approach.

In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic it might be easy for many to lose sight of the Brexit steam train that is coming straight for us. For many ordinary Irish workers, small business owners, farmers and communities, particularly in the Border region such as my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, the outworkings and developments of the next number of weeks will be long-standing and potentially devastating. This Bill simply will not and cannot address all of the concerns. Issues of trade with Britain and the fact that Britain stands between us and the rest of Europe mean that anything less than full, free and open trade will result in an economic hit for many Irish businesses, not least in the agri-food sector. We must try to minimise that hit, including by sourcing alternative markets and providing financial supports to our farmers and businesses to assist the response to the short-term shocks.

Where we do have additional control is in addressing the issues that could arise in our country, specifically in respect of North-South co-operation and integration. Throughout this process, we have heard a great deal of very welcome rhetoric from the Government and others who have rightly and repeatedly stated that there can be no hardening of the Border in our country. That must be matched by actions. It must be said that we have missed opportunities to do so.

We know that all-Ireland progress is not easy. We know that the DUP and others in the North will oppose any attempt to undo the damage of partition but we also know that the all-Ireland approach is the correct approach. It is the only way we can seek to protect communities and economies on both sides of the Border. We must be guided by the recognition that the Good Friday Agreement upholds the rights of citizens in the North to be Irish citizens. That means this House has a responsibility to protect those rights. It means this House must recognise that to put any barriers to trade, movement and co-operation between my county of Monaghan, for example, and our neighbours in Tyrone, Armagh and Fermanagh would be akin to me suggesting to the Minister that the same barriers should be put between his county of Cork and Kerry or Tipperary. This House must recognise that the Good Friday Agreement allows us the opportunity to avoid that prospect and undo the horrendous damage of partition.

There is nothing to be afraid of in allowing the people to have their say. The undemocratic nature of the Brexit imposition on the people of the North can and must be met with the democratic action of allowing the people of Ireland to determine our own future together and in peace. It is time for the Irish Government to plan and prepare, along with the rest of us, for a referendum on Irish unity.

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