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

I dealt with Deputy Ó Murchú's question on the shared dialogue issues. I am not discussing domestic economic policies other than to say, obviously, in terms of us being so close to the British market, it has a great deal of significance for companies in Ireland.

Deputy Bacik raised the protocol. I have dealt with that in respect of the broader question of a negotiated solution. On strengthening links, we talk to all political representatives in Britain, including the British Labour Party. I have met with the leader of the British Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Nationalist Party, the Scottish Labour Party, the Conservatives, and those in the Welsh system.

Deputy McDonald raised the British-Irish Council, which met in Guernsey. The British Government's position is restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and they want to work with the EU to see if a negotiated settlement can be achieved in respect of the protocol.

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, we had an eviction freeze here in the context of Covid. One big difference between Britain and Ireland is we have a written Constitution and anything we do has to be within that framework or else it gets struck down or challenged quickly. That said, we have always sought through various legislation to reduce pressure on tenants and we will continue to do that.

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