Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I too would like to add my voice of support to the House of Lords European affairs committee's report, Brexit: UK-Irish Relations. I was delighted yesterday, along with colleagues, to meet Lord Michael Jay and his colleagues, and to have met Lord Tim Boswell, chairman of the committee, some time ago when he visited us. They visited in the course of their talks in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, as well and they consulted rather widely. They consulted also with two former Taoisigh, who I gather were very helpful to them. The key point is this is a useful and positive report. The committee has shown great interest and understanding, I might say, of our situation vis-à-visthe North and the various agreements and how we must protect all that is involved in that, which has been embodied in European law as well.

We are virtually on the same page as them but it also is very important at this time and in the future because there will be many more developments and twists on the road before Article 50 is invoked by the British, not least the Supreme Court judgment to come in January. I am very much of the view offered previously by Senator Bacik. I appeal to the Leader to pursue this further at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because it behoves us to have continuing contact with that committee - this House with that House - to advance matters further. I accept that lawfully, under standing agreements we cannot negotiate separately or make arrangements bilaterally until the button has been pressed, that is, when Article 50 is invoked. However, there is nothing to prevent us continuing to do the good work behind the scenes so that hopefully, when the time comes and we are formally engaged in negotiations, the EU will be able to give its blessing, if not fully then at least substantially, to what is in the best interests of Ireland and Britain, in particular this island of Ireland.