Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In reply to Senator Craughwell, I think he is the only Independent Member of this House ever to have been elected by the Government party. In the by-election in 2014, more Fine Gael members voted for Senator Craughwell than voted for our own candidate. I wish him well in his future endeavours.

We were in Liverpool for the 55th plenary of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Without doubt, this is one of the most important assemblies. It brings politicians from North and South and from Wales, Scotland, England and the Crown Dependencies. We talked about very serious issues such as Brexit and co-operation. I said that when they voted for Brexit in their referendum, the British people never thought about the island of Ireland. Effectively, the British people have shot themselves in our foot. The Border and the island of Ireland will be the Achilles heel of any deal that is done in Ireland, the UK or Europe. It is a huge issue and I do not know how we can get around it. We are losing great allies in Europe.

At the assembly were Chloe Smith MP and Robin Walker MP from the Conservative Party, and Councillor Malcolm Kennedy from Liverpool. He stated that Liverpool was probably the most sectarian city in the islands but in the 1960s, for some reason, they got over it. It was a dead-pan delivery but it was a great reflection on the people of Liverpool. They had Orange marches and nationalist marches and there were huge tensions and riots. Today, although that past is commemorated, they do not have the same violence that went on before.

We also had Eoin O'Neill, the president of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, and Professor Peter Shirlow, director of the Institute of Irish Studies in Liverpool university. We had a debate about a Border poll and 50 plus one. I think Professor Shirlow is going to share the results of his study with us. They will not make good reading for all of us who want to unite the people of Ireland and want one Ireland. They suggest that a Border poll would be defeated. If we get the details, we should bring the matter to this House to debate it. It was a very detailed survey. I would be concerned that a Border poll could be counterproductive, although people have every right to call for it. Most people at the assembly were alarmed by the results of the study. They could be eye-opening.