Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are led to believe that progress has been made in the Brexit negotiations since the House last met. I acknowledge the work done on this issue by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney. It is important that we recap to clearly understand what has been agreed. In that regard, I will be interested to hear if anyone has a different understanding from me on what occurred.

It is my understanding that, as a result of the protracted negotiations between the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and others in the United Kingdom and European Union, it is clearer that the Good Friday Agreement will be protected and everyone born in Northern Ireland will continue to have the right to Irish and, therefore, European Union citizenship. Moreover, the common travel area allowing unimpeded travel between the UK and Ireland will continue, and UK and Irish citizens will continue to enjoy freedom to work and study and access to housing, health care, pensions and welfare in both countries.

The UK has committed to ensuring that, in the North, there will be no diminution of human rights safeguards and equality of opportunity, as set out in European law. These are simple and important achievements. Given the complexity of the debate on Brexit, it is incumbent on politicians that we demystify the intrigue and language surrounding this issue and try to explain in simple terms and concepts what the negotiations are about. I have highlighted only some of the key issues.

I ask the Government to maintain pressure in fighting for the interests of the people of the island of Ireland. It is nice to see this much used term being used more often in political dialogue, debate and discussion. The key message is that we must protect the interests of the people of the island of Ireland in terms of prosperity and peace. I ask the Government to maintain focus and not to apologise for fighting for and seeking the best deal for the island of Ireland and its people, North, South, east and west.

I call on the Leader to ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House early in the new year for a comprehensive debate on Caranua, an organisation established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to manage €110 million pledged by the religious congregations to survivors of abuse. In simple terms, Caranua has failed to meet the complex needs and requirements of many of the survivors of abuse.We need to examine this. There is a lot of money that was meant to address issues such as health care, housing, physical and mental health, emotional well-being and, possibly, education and training but these areas have not been fully addressed. They are complex issues and there are complex difficulties associated with many people who have suffered and survived institutional abuse. We need to consider this again. We need to engage with the victims of abuse and the organisations and put together a review. I would like to have a review but it is important that the Minister would attend the House first to explain the background to it and outline his intentions and plans.