Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I might not need quite this level of latitude. The Taoiseach has spoken a number of times to Prime Minister Sunak. It is fair to say we are somewhat more hopeful. Some of this is not on the basis of Mr. Sunak so much as the basis everyone believes that due to the conditions prevailing in the world today Britain needs a deal with the EU. I do not think there is anyone, especially in this Chamber, who does not want to see the protocol issue dealt with. We still have those fears at the back of our minds. We do not need the situation to disintegrate from a point of view of any possibility of a hard Border. I think all of us support anything that will streamline trade. Over the past number of years one could have made determinations on the basis of comments that have been made by British politicians and many such determinations would have been wrong.

I will not read too deeply into Britain not wanting a Swiss-style relationship with the European Union. We need it to move from better mood music into an actual deal on the protocol. Maroš Šefčovič and others are willing to do the heavy lifting as regards ensuring this can be as seamless as possible. We would all welcome that. In fairness, if that was the case, it would allow unionism off the hook it has found itself on. I imagine that in the Taoiseach's conversations with the Prime Minister, he will have said that everything has to be done from a point of view of getting the Executive back up and running. I welcome that the Taoiseach has dealt with some of the issues I intended to bring up. We are still dealing with the spectre of the protocol legislation, the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the amnesty=legacy or Bill of shame, as it has become known. I am not sure we will necessarily get what we want from the British Government. We have to maintain the pressure on it because there is an element of that government not really wanting to address the part it played and its dirty war in Ireland.

When the Taoiseach spoke to Nicola Sturgeon, did they have any conversations about the possibility of a Scottish referendum? We have all seen what has happened in the courts and the fact that this seems to be a gift that lies with the British Government. However, there is a feeling within the SNP that it would be very difficult for a British Government, no matter what it says, not to offer that referendum as a precedent has been set. Brexit is also a game changer in that respect.

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