Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank all Deputies for their genuine co-operation. I accept what they said and I think they accept the trust we need in the country's negotiation position. The negotiations in the days ahead will be difficult. I reiterate my message that no matter happens, deal or no deal, significant changes are coming and we need this legislation in order to ensure we are ready for that.

I do not accept what Deputy Brady said about us not fighting for the human rights of citizens in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, the citizens of Northern Ireland are victims of a decision to leave the European Union taken by people across the sea from them. We have worked with might and main with every party in the House - the previous Government and this one - to ensure that the needs of the people of Ireland, North and South, would be top of the agenda. I am pleased to report that every Minister I speak to tells me they have two priorities for the negotiations, namely, the Good Friday Agreement and the rights of the citizens of Ireland, and the European Single Market. Both issues are crucial to us and those in the North. I do not, therefore, accept that criticism. We are working very hard on this and the negotiators, led by Michel Barnier, the Commissioner who set up the PEACE programme for funding Border counties in the North, are intimately aware of the issues facing the North and the wider island. I am grateful for all their input and everybody else's in the House.

We are continuing to work on the cross-border treatment directive. Unfortunately, this just one of the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union but the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health are working to try to find a solution. It presents difficulties but we want to solve it, and I assure Deputies of that. These are not straightforward issues and others will undoubtedly transpire in the new year. There will be inconveniences and difficulties caused solely by the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. We as a nation - our businesses and citizens - have made significant preparations but there will be contingencies that we simply will not be able to deal with.

There will be disadvantages to Britain leaving the European Union that will be completely outside of our control. There are huge changes coming. I encourage everybody to look at the resources available online, including on gov.ie, and I urge businesses to avail of the supports we are providing. As I said, there are big changes coming.

See this speech in context