Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, which is to take motion No. 21(8). It is a topic many people have raised before and is similar to motion No. 21(4). It relates to Brexit and I wanted to put structure on it. There is a huge opportunity for the Chamber to lead a wide-ranging debate on Brexit. I propose that Seanad Éireann holds a comprehensive debate over a number of days on the UK referendum on EU membership and its implications for the island of Ireland, North and South, and invites a range of persons including the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers, as Senator Richmond has said, MEPs from the North and the South, the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland and any other persons we deem relevant to the debate. I hope we get unanimous agreement to that and I ask the Cathaoirleach and Acting Leader to schedule the debate for priority when we come back in September and to set aside a number of days for it. We speak about the relevancy of the Chamber here. The Brexit debate is a huge issue.It has dimensions for the entire island of Ireland. We are talking about inclusiveness. This is the Seanad's last sitting day before the recess. Fianna Fáil has tabled motion No. 4, which is quite similar. I have just fleshed it out a bit. I would like the Seanad to agree today for a number of days of debate on this issue to be scheduled. I ask the Deputy Leader to facilitate us in doing something practical and decisive in this regard. A number of days should be set aside for those purposes.

I would like to conclude by wishing the Deputy Leader, Senator Noone, all the best. I think she will be excellent in that role.