Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Éirím chun tacú leis an méid atá ráite ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Conway-Walsh. I support the contribution of my colleague, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh, and ask the Leader to maintain the pressure on his Government colleagues and all Members of the Oireachtas on Thursday's Brexit referendum. I will leave this institution on Thursday after the conclusion of business to go back up the road to vote in the referendum. When I was travelling down to the Seanad last week, I sat across from two young American tourists who were heading from Belfast to Dublin. They asked an elderly gentleman in the carriage whether anybody would stop them at the Border to check their passports and papers. I interjected by saying, "Not yet." This is a fear and concern, among many others, not least about the impact on our economy, infrastructure, agriculture sector and the longstanding and important contribution the EU has made to the peace process and the political process in the North through institutions and through the very significant funding streams to build peace and justice initiatives. I ask the Leader to maintain this pressure.

The Government has played a very proactive role. The Taoiseach and other colleagues have been to the North, which I welcome. They have also travelled across the water to Britain to encourage the Irish community there to vote. I ask Members to maintain this pressure and, if they have friends, colleagues or relatives in Britain or the North, to ensure they use their vote on Thursday. I say this as an individual and as a party member who has many concerns about the EU as it stands, not least regarding the democratic deficit and the erosion of national sovereignty.

I am amazed and shocked at Senator Feighan. He is no longer in the Chamber. I hope he is outside reflecting on what he proposed. If I am worried about the democratic deficit in the EU, I would certainly be worried about a democratic deficit in the British Commonwealth.I am amazed that in 2016, 100 years after the Easter Rising, when the ideals and visions have not been fulfilled yet, that a member of Fine Gael would come in here-----