Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That, not withstanding anything in Standing Orders(1) In recognition of the potential consequences of the decision of the United Kingdom to withdraw from membership of the European Union, a special committee, which shall be called the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (‘the Committee’), be appointed to consider the implications for Ireland of such withdrawal, with particular reference to the following matters:

(a)the implications for the Irish economy of hard and soft exit scenarios,

(b)relations between the State and Northern Ireland,

(c)the citizenship rights of all the people of Northern Ireland,

(d)the Common Travel Area and the Border: movement of goods, services and people between the State and Northern Ireland and between Ireland and Great Britain,

(e)agriculture and fisheries,

(f)transport, energy and communications,

(g)welfare, health and education,

and to such other related matters as the Committee may determine.

(2) The Committee shall consist of ten members, of whom one shall be Senator Neale Richmond who shall be Chairman, and of whom nine shall be nominated by the Committee of Selection as follows:

Fine Gael group2 members,

Fianna Fáil group 2 members,

Independent group 2 members,

Sinn Féin group 1 member,

Civil Engagement group 1 member,

Labour group 1 member.

(3) The quorum of the Committee shall be five.

(4) The Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 71, other than paragraphs (2A), (3), (4), (4A), (4B), (6), (6A), (6B) and (6C) thereof.

(5) Paragraphs (2) to (6) inclusive of Standing Order 76 shall not apply to the Committee.

(6) Paragraph (2) of Standing Order 83 shall not apply to the Committee.

(7) The Committee shall make a final report to Seanad Éireann not later than 30^thJune, 2017.”