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

First of all, there has been much speculation as to timings and approaches. To be honest, the Windsor agreement was a genuine response to the issues unionism raised in respect of the operation of the protocol. In my view, some of the issues that were resolved through the Windsor Framework were issues that unionism legitimately raised. Indeed, other parties in the North were quite okay with those issues being raised in terms of the smooth and seamless operation of trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, but for some reason unknown to me, unionism did not seize the moment. It had put pressure on. It raised issues it was told two years ago could not be resolved but they were resolved.

That is a significant lost opportunity. It is clear now that two tracks have emerged. The EU-UK track has been effectively significantly enhanced and changed – "transformed" might be too big a word – but Northern Ireland has stood still. Fundamentally, the mandate of the people is not being validated or realised. The people have voted. The outcome of that should be reflected in the convening of the Assembly and the formation of the Executive. We are also co-guarantors of the agreement. There is an integration there. Strand 2 cannot operate effectively if strand 1 is not operating. The fully functioning of the North-South bodies is impaired and undermined. Therefore, the Irish Government has a legitimate interest in pursuing these issues.

There has been a lot of speculation that it would be resolved before the next British election but we cannot wait that long. There are very significant issues on the budget front and the longer it stays out, the more acute those budgetary and fiscal problems become. We have very significant issues with the health services in Northern Ireland as well. We had heard all about July and the local elections and then September was identified as a date when these issues could be brought to a conclusion. There were outstanding issues between the UK Government and the DUP. However, it is very clear to most people involved that there is a limited timeline in which those issues can be resolved.

See this speech in context