Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The time for talking has come to an end. What action is being taken by Government on the issues flagged by the witnesses to the committee as priorities, including State aid rules and Northern Ireland special status? What negotiation is taking place in that regard? As mentioned previously, Ireland has a tripartite agreement with France and the United Kingdom in relation to the horse racing industry. What has the Government done to ensure this will be maintained in light of the fact that this is not a matter of concern to any of the eastern European countries?

Since publication of the report, the United Kingdom has announced it will be withdrawing from the London fisheries convention. I appreciate that Ireland is one of 27 countries. I would like to hear how the negotiations with the other 26 countries are going.

With regard to fisheries, there are land locked countries that have no interest in fisheries. What will Ireland have to give in the negotiations to get the best deal for us? How will we get the best deal possible for Ireland without that deal being seen by the remaining 26 countries as the best deal possible for the United Kingdom? In my opinion, following on from the result of the elections in the United Kingdom, the remaining 26 countries see it as being in a weak and vulnerable position and they will probably be tempted to go for the jugular and we will be the big losers. I would welcome more detail from the Minister of State on where we are in regard to Brexit. Brexit is not something that will happen at the end of divorce proceedings it is already happening and I would like to know where we stand in that regard.