Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Any dilution of that message would be a major mistake for this Government to make.

Senator Black has brought a section of the Minister's speech to my attention. A motion was passed in this House last week, drafted by Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, concerning the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA. The Minister stated:

Ireland will also continue to make the most effective use of the framework of trade agreements the EU already has in place, as well as supporting the opening of new markets through the EU. These agreements, such as the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA, which will be signed by EU Ministers in Luxembourg next week ...

Is the Minister mindful that this House rejected that particular agreement, by way of Senator Higgins's motion, and will she respond to that? Is it something she will take into consideration? I am not sure whether there has been a vote on the matter in the Lower House but this House had a robust debate on it and most Members rejected the idea of this deal.

In conclusion, I ask the Minister to ensure the Government places a particular focus on the Border regions in considering the impact of Brexit, is mindful of not being complacent about the peace process North and South and is an absolutely unwavering advocate for the European project. Minsters must speak in stark and forthright terms about how damaging this whole event has been in order to ward off other member states from going down the same road. I ask the Minister to respond to the expressed will of this House on the particular trade agreement to which she referred. I wish her well in her endeavours but I reiterate that there should be no message from this House or from Ministers which dilutes the reality that Brexit is an unmitigated political, economic and social disaster.