Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I wish to address the Taoiseach's comments on the necessity for everyone to do as much as they can to be prepared for 1 January in the context of Brexit. I fully agree that we face huge challenges in the agrifood sector and fisheries for exporters and importers and, if there is no deal, households, who could face increases to their bills of more than €1,000 per year. In the Government's comments to date there has been no comment as to how it would assist households in the case of a no-deal Brexit. Plans to assist businesses have been announced, which is welcome, but there have been no plans to assist households. It is in this context of preparations and readiness that it is remiss of the Government not to have carried out a form of national audit of Brexit readiness or preparations. This is being done in the UK, for example, and it has shown up huge and very concerning gaps in its preparations. Given the risks we face, I cannot understand why the Irish Government has not done this. Yes, there have been plans and the omnibus legislation, but there has not been an independent assessment as to where there may be gaps. We have seen in recent weeks that areas where we were given assurance that there would be no issues have now emerged as key concerns. We were told not to worry, that Irish trucks would be green-laned at French ports, and then we find out the French do not have the technical capabilities to do so. We have growing concerns being expressed by the Irish Road Haulage Association. The plans and the aspirations in our preparations are all well and good but they should be tested independently ahead of 1 January, before problems arise. That is very important. It is also regrettable that the Government has refused to facilitate questions and answers on Brexit readiness and preparations, which I have asked for, this week in the Dáil. Yes, there will be statements on this, but we do not need more statements. We need questions and answers so we can raise these matters directly and specifically and get answers to them.

As we approach the final hurdle in the Brexit negotiations, it is worth taking stock. There is probably one area where the UK Government has succeeded in its strategy. It had wished to run down the clock on these negotiations to get to this point, at which only a minimalist deal is possible. It has succeeded in running down the clock but has failed in its attempts to provoke rows over the internal market Bill and its stated attempts to breach international law. It has failed in its negotiating tactic to try to gain additional leverage through those tactics. It has failed in its attempts to divide and conquer and negotiate separately with different EU leaders. The EU leaders across the board, with one exception, have been steadfast in not engaging with Boris Johnson on this.

Fisheries is now left in the balance. This is not where the European Union negotiators wanted to be. We wanted fisheries to be agreed long before this point. It is worth remembering that while the EU wants access to UK waters for our fleet, the UK needs and wants tariff-free access to the European Union market to sell its fish. It will not be able to sell all the fish caught in UK waters, so there is the grounds for us holding firm and strong on that, and at this point I would urge that is done. Fish do not know borders, and as far as fish conservation and sustainability are concerned, it is very important a deal is struck in close co-operation.

I welcome the historic agreement relating to a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. It is very important that we play a full role domestically in achieving that reduction.

The rule of law provisions which have been hard fought for by the European Parliament in particular are significant. They mark a shift in attitude by the European Union. There is a risk that the provisions are not strong enough and are, in fact, more of an anti-corruption tool than a rule of law measure. We could do with stronger sanctions in this area. We need to defend from attacks on press freedom, civil society and the LGBTI+ community anywhere in the world, but especially in the European Union. I am concerned that the comments of the Taoiseach on this issue have not been strong enough. I note and acknowledge the strong comments of the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, on the issue.

In conclusion, I note the significance of the milestone in terms of the EU getting to the point of collective EU debt issuance. It is very significant.

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