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

I will make a few introductory comments and I have three specific questions which I will ask together. It has to be said that new customs and regulatory checks have caused a few problems so far. There are some empty shelves in some supermarkets like Marks & Spencer, which is supplied by British supermarket chains, and there is a possibility that some of those supermarket chains will simply not bother bringing in their goods to Ireland.

Difficulties have been reported with online shopping, where new charges have been imposed on sites and sales, and some parcel services have ceased. There are problems in our ports too.

Like other speakers, I thank the EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, for the important role that he played in the negotiations. He is a patient man. He told this House in 2017 that he would not abandon Irish interests and that he would respect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, and he kept his word in that regard. The European Movement Ireland honoured him with the European of the Year award for 2020 today. Michel Barnier said that he considered himself a little bit Irish. It is fair to say that we all consider Michel Barnier an honorary Irishman at this stage.

How is the operation of the Ireland-Northern Ireland protocol going on the ground? Are goods flowing without any problems between Britain and Northern Ireland? Are there teething problems? I say this because the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has told the House of Commons that he is willing to invoke Article 16 of the protocol which allows unilateral action if there are economic, societal or environmental difficulties arising from its implementation. DUP MPs have said that the protocol has ruined trade in Northern Ireland, but they would say that for their own political reasons. Is there any danger that Article 16 will be invoked? Is this something that the Irish Government would oppose at EU level?

Regarding the British land bridge, the Government has been advising exporters to switch to direct ferry services to the Continent rather than going through Britain. Stena Line and Irish Ferries are providing services from Dublin and Rosslare to Cherbourg. In addition, DFDS is providing direct daily services between Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk. The Irish Marine Development Office previously said that there was enough capacity on these routes, yet services have since been increased on a commercial basis. I know the Minister dealt with this earlier, but to clarify again, is there sufficient capacity on direct services from Ireland to the European mainland?

On the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the UK leaving the EU, the EU structure for engagement between Ministers and their officials is no longer available. Our bilateral relationship needs to be re-examined. There are strong social, economic, cultural and political links between our two countries. I understand that the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach have agreed to begin work on a strategic review of the Irish-British relationship. The Taoiseach has spoken of the need to develop new structures for formal engagement between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister and at ministerial and official level to formalise co-operation across several policy areas. I believe we need to develop and enhance the various bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement to develop and enhance relations on all parts of these islands. I presume the Minister agrees with that.

It is becoming clear that we are not quite done with Brexit. The partnership council established to oversee the agreement will have 20 committees. There are definitely more painful negotiations ahead but this agreement will make Brexit a little easier for all of us to deal with.

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