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

Recently in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said with regard to negotiations between the EU and UK on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol that the parties must now be given the space to do their work. The Minister for Foreign Affairs more or less said the same thing during Question Time earlier this month and suggested that the less said publicly on these matters in the Dáil at this time, the better.

The Taoiseach met the parties in Northern Ireland yesterday, as he said. He stated afterwards that restoring Stormont is vital. He is reported as describing these meetings as useful and constructive. As we know, the DUP will not agree to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive until a comprehensive deal on the protocol is agreed. Will the Taoiseach update the House on his talks yesterday and on the prospect of restoring the power-sharing Executive, having regard to the looming 28 October deadline?

See this speech in context