Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy very much. I join him in congratulating Israel Olatunde on a fabulous performance the other day. I watched it on the news. I am very impressed by what he has achieved and with his speed. I also congratulate the Deputy on segueing from that to the protocol. I did not know where the Deputy was going, but fair play.

On the protocol, I spoke with the President Von der Leyen on Saturday and the Tánaiste met with Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels yesterday. There is contact every couple of days between us and the European Commission, which is negotiating on our behalf. Obviously, we are in touch with the British authorities as well. The situation is that a great deal of progress has been made but a deal has not yet been done and signed off. Prime Minister Sunak wants some time to consult with the Northern Ireland parties and with his own party. We should give him the time and space to do that. We should all avoid any commentary in public which might prove to be counterproductive.

See this speech in context