Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State's confirmation that the Minister has conveyed the Government's concerns about the language used. I was alarmed when it was brought to my attention. I have been aware of the negotiations down the years, but the main concern is the post-Brexit situation. Some will desire to put a wall around Britain. As an Irish republican, I want a united Ireland but, in the interim, we need to share Lough Foyle to the benefit of everyone on both sides of the lough.

It is the opinion of people in the area that the British are not doing a deal on Lough Foyle because of its strategic naval and military importance. Access to Foyle Port is another issue. Were the lough split down the middle, a navigational channel would fall on the State's side. These matters are all resolvable if the will is there.

In the context of the Good Friday Agreement and the Loughs Agency, which is tasked with managing the resources for everyone, I do not understand this situation. The only thing that makes sense to me is military strategic importance. If that is the case, our Government needs to say it out loud and call out the British for playing games with the livelihoods of those in the area.

In light of Brexit, I am asking for urgency from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and a resolution of the issues at stake at the earliest opportunity.