Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to focus mainly on two issues with regard to the upcoming European Council meeting: Brexit and Covid-19. Like many people have said, we are approaching make-or-break time on Brexit. Deadline after deadline has passed but a final deadline is looming. Mr. Barnier has been urged by many EU leaders not to rush into an unsatisfactory trade deal with the UK simply because the final deadline is looming. He has been warned not to fall into the Brexit negotiation trap laid by the UK. This trap is where agreement on other issues is reached and then fisheries is dealt with. The French European affairs minister has said that those in Downing Street were misguided if they believe running down the clock will work to the advantage of the UK. He was clear when he said there can be no agreement unless there is an agreement that gives sustainable and wide-ranging access to British waters. He said our terms are known and they are not new.

We also need to play hardball when it comes to protecting our fisheries. The UK is well aware that the vast majority of its fish is exported to the EU. This includes something like 90% of cod, 93% of herring, 85% of mackerel, 80% of shellfish and over 50% of salmon. They are all exported to the EU. Landing fish is one thing but selling it is what delivers a profit. In that context, even though it may not reach the headlines, the EU has a strong hand.

The UK Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson, has got his Covid-19 regulations over the line. Perhaps this will give greater impetus towards finding an agreement on Brexit. I am keen to hear the Minister of State comment on that. Vast divergences still remain and it may be too much to bridge that gap. What is the view of the Minister of State on the prospect that if any deal is struck, it will be a narrow deal on goods only? What are the implications of that for Ireland?

Other speakers have spoken about the €5 billion fund. I know the Minister of State will do this but I wish to reiterate the point.

We need to make the strongest possible case for Ireland to get its fair share of the cake because we will be the country most effected by Brexit. Earlier, the Taoiseach spoke about the need for contingency measures to be discussed because next week is critical. One of the consequences of a no-deal Brexit would be that trading between the UK and the EU would continue on WTO terms, which means tariffs on goods. What preparations are in place in respect of the agrifood sector? The food supply chain is a major issue for the whole country, but especially for the region which I represent, the north west, and also for the Border region. Indeed, the 2020 report from the European Commission, which underpins the country-specific recommendations, for Ireland specifically states that regional imbalance between the north and west region and other regions in Ireland is a serious problem and will impede overall national development. That is the situation now. Post-Brexit, however, that imbalance is very likely to be exacerbated and any Brexit strategy must take account of that specific issue.

Turning to Covid-19, I just listened to the 3 p.m. news headlines and Robin Swann spoke of vaccinations starting next week in Northern Ireland. What information does the Minister of State have regarding when we can expect to see vaccination rolled out across the country? Is he satisfied that we have the logistics, staff and capability sorted, so that when the vaccine comes on stream we will be able to immediately start an accessible and effective vaccination policy?

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