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

The politics of Brexit are proving to be corrosive in the already sensitive situation in the North of Ireland, polarising opinion and increasing tensions. I reiterate that the protocol makes no change to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. That is set down in the Good Friday Agreement. I want us to get to a place where the implementation of the protocol is fully realised in a way that works for Northern Ireland. There is an onus on all of us leaders and politicians to engage openly with citizens, businesses, politicians and community leaders on the protocol. We need to be clear and honest that the alternative to the protocol is not life as it was before Brexit but much deeper and more difficult disruption. There is no agreed alternative to the problems caused by Brexit on the island of Ireland. We spent four years going through those alternatives until we came to the protocol. It was the best available solution to those challenges, to which the UK and the European Union agreed.

Brexit has inevitably meant changes for businesses, sometimes difficult ones. However, there are some businesses in Northern Ireland that have no issues whatsoever with the protocol. Some major companies have examined its contents and adapted their business models. There are significant potential opportunities for Northern Ireland through the protocol, with open access to the rest of the UK internal market and to the entire EU Single Market. No industry is greater placed to avail of those opportunities than the Northern Ireland sausage industry because the biggest pork plant in Britain and Ireland is in Northern Ireland. For all this nonsense about a sausage war, there is massive production of it in North of Ireland. There is evidence of increased interest in Northern Ireland as an investment location but stability and certainty are needed to ensure this and realise that potential. We know that unilateral action on sensitive issues in the North of Ireland never works. The only sustainable approach to the current challenges requires the UK and the EU to work together to find pragmatic solutions. I urge all parties in this House to remain resolute in their support for this measured and calm approach, and I know they will do so. I also thank our EU colleagues for their continued engagement and solidarity on the detail of this issue.

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