Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will pick up where I left off last time on the legislation. Of course it would be helpful if the legislation was formally frozen but I am not sure that ask is on the table because we are trying to make progress without creating barriers or raising things we cannot agree on. The legislation is there in the background. We know that and are not particularly happy about it but it is best ignored for now. It is not moving quickly and there is no chance that it will be passed by the end of the year. It has been through the House of Commons for an initial reading and is going to the House of Lords, where there will be a lot of concerns, amendments and debate on the legislation. It is there but it is not in danger of becoming law any time soon. Let us park that to one side. The official position is very clear; should that legislation become law, it would create huge problems as regards the relationship, trust and legal challenges. However, we now have a window. We should use it and not be distracted by where the legislation is.

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