Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are reaching the endgame on Brexit. A landing zone is in sight and we hope the UK and the EU will land on it either by the end of this week or by next week. For some time now, we have been told that the contentious issues are fisheries, level playing field competition issues and governance. I hope a deal can be agreed. It is in the interests of Ireland and the EU and it certainly is in the interests of the UK, whether the British Prime Minister knows it or not.

I want to raise a number of issues in connection with Brexit. There are reports of concerns about traffic delays occurring as a result of congestion at Dublin Port after 1 January. Delays in carrying out border checks could result in a backup of trucks in the Dublin Port Tunnel which could cause traffic jams on the M50 and the surrounding road network in Dublin. That must not be allowed to happen. Irish Ferries and Stena Line should be asked to stagger ferries arriving from Holyhead and Liverpool into Dublin Port. It is my understanding that Transport Infrastructure Ireland has also raised these concerns. An overflow parking facilities for lorries has been earmarked for Dublin Airport. The Department of Transport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Dublin local authorities, the Garda, the Dublin Port Company and the Revenue Commissioners must all work together to try to resolve this issue. There is nothing surer than if the traffic in Dublin starts to snarl up, it will be one of the most immediate effects of Brexit that our citizens will experience. We need to prevent that.

As regards the UK land bridge issue, I welcome, like the previous speaker, the announcement by the Danish shipping company DFDS that it will provide a direct service between Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk six days per week. We already have services from Dublin and Rosslare to Cherbourg. Businesses must now be encouraged to trial these services and avoid the UK land bridge. The question arises as to whether there is enough capacity on these routes. The Irish Maritime Development Office says there is but the Irish Road Haulage Association is not so sure. I am not the first speaker to raise that question and we need clarification on it.

The European Council still has big decisions to make regarding the conference on the future of Europe. The Taoiseach did not say whether that would be on the agenda next week. We need clarification, for example, on who will chair it and when it will be launched. The issue of treaty change will no doubt come up for discussion when the conference is in place. The Covid-19 pandemic brought about a co-ordination of policies in respect of public health which was most welcome. However, on the question of whether health should become a competence of the EU, I am not so sure. I think the Minister of State will agree with me that there is plenty of scope within the existing treaties, especially the Lisbon treaty, to make progress. That existing scope should be utilised further to bring about the necessary improvements in the quality of life of EU citizens.

We must also consult widely in Ireland on the conference, with stakeholders and various State and semi-State bodies, as well as citizens. We must actively engage with citizens on the future of Europe and this conference. I hope that suitable mechanisms can be put in place to facilitate that.

I wish to raise the stand-off that has developed on the multiannual financial framework, MFF, and the European Recovery Fund. The proposed MFF is for €1.8 trillion and the associated recovery fund is for €750 billion. Hungary and Poland want to veto agreement due to the linking of the budget to rule of law issues. This must not be allowed to happen. The EU must stand up for European values and insist that the rule of law is not compromised. It is up to the German Presidency to resolve this impasse, and I hope it can be done without compromising on the fundamental principles of the EU.

In that context, I refer to remarks by the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa. Portugal takes over the EU Presidency next month and he raised the possibility of a multi-speed Europe whereby like-minded EU states can press ahead in certain areas such as fundamental values, immigration, fiscal rectitude and so forth. Poland and Hungary are the problem children at present. Ireland was a problem child at one stage. I, and undoubtedly Ireland, would be opposed to any suggestion of a two-speed or multi-speed Europe. We are all in this together and we must resolve these problems together.

I wish to raise some further major issues, but I only have a small amount of time left. One is the digital services tax. Where do we stand in this regard? France is becoming particularly impatient. The OECD is dealing with this issue globally and the EU supports that. Presumably, the OECD will report in due course and the EU will consider the report. Ireland will have to give careful consideration to that. This has the potential to affect our corporate tax revenues and our economic model. It is something the Dáil should be conscious of and debate as the situation unfolds.

With regard to financial services and the City of London, perhaps we could get a report at some stage on how Ireland is doing in attracting financial institutions to Dublin arising from Brexit and banks leaving the UK and City of London. Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Dublin are all possibilities for the relocation of such services and Ireland should be proactive in this regard. I would welcome a report on that matter in due course.

I wish to emphasise the report published today by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on consumers engaging in online shopping. They should be very careful when dealing with purchases from the UK. The advice is that they should check where the business is based, buy from reputable retailers, check the cancellation and returns policy, check for additional taxes or charges, pay by card and check that the website is secure. These are important practical issues for consumers in this country as we engage in the Christmas shopping spree. It is important to get that message to the public loud and clear.

I have four seconds left, so I will not bother discussing the new migration and asylum pact. However, we must get agreement on it as soon as possible. Undoubtedly, it will come up for discussion at future European Council meetings.

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