Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's comments and the sense of unity across the House in relation to this assault on an international agreement. Fundamentally, that is what is potentially being considered by the British Government. It is producing legislation which represents a breach of an international agreement it freely entered into. The British Prime Minister advocated this protocol and trade agreement to the British Parliament. It was ratified by the British Parliament and accepted. Flowing from that then is the whole issue of trust in the conduct of international relations. The EU, in particular, has engaged honourably, proactively and with a significant degree of trust in terms of its negotiations. It is clear now that the British Government has not been acting in good faith in respect of the conduct of those negotiations.

The allegations or assertions from the British Government's side that Europe has not been proactive or flexible do not stack up. They simply do not stand up. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has been proactive. The medicines supply issue, if we recall, was resolved nearly a year ago. In fact, the European Parliament specifically passed legislation to facilitate the resolution of the medicines issue as it manifested at that time. It was again encouraging to see the very warm support that I received as Taoiseach, on behalf of everybody here, at the European Parliament last week on this specific aspect. Some of my consultations were on this issue.

All parties in Northern Ireland have a right to be consulted in terms of the British Government's action and not just one party. Their views should be sought and engaged with. The majority of MLAs, as Deputy Bacik said, support the protocol. They believe there can be changes to the operation of the protocol, as we do as well. Issues have been raised and, in the context of my recent discussions with Commissioner Šefčovič, he is prepared to come forward with further proposals to resolve these issues. One never gets reciprocation from the British Government side. One never gets clarity from the British Government side as to what the landing zone is in respect of an ultimate resolution of these particular issues.

Economically, it is striking to talk to people on the ground. An increasing number of businesses and industries can not only master or manage the protocol but find it advantageous. What worries me most is the lack of real appreciation of the nuts and bolts of this by the British Government. Its proposals are actually damaging economically. They are damaging to industry and to jobs in Northern Ireland. Talk to anyone involved in the manufacturing or export sectors or the food industry and agribusiness sector and they are all clear that they need a protocol. They do not need it undermined.

They actually need it. We should focus on the sector of the Northern Ireland economy that has problems. If we focused on that, which Europe is prepared to do, we can resolve the issues.

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