Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Finally, I join Senator Feighan in calling on the British MP to withdraw his remarks regarding the Taoiseach. He is doing what every other Taoiseach has done, or should do, and that is to protect the Irish citizen and Ireland. Brexit will have a profound impact on us as a country. The Taoiseach and the Government have a duty to protect and advocate on behalf of Ireland. That is being done in the context of the European Union. If we look at the remarks of the negotiators, and the chairmen of the European Commission, it will be seen that it is about having a Europe that represents all of us - small countries as well as big countries. I would be very happy to have a continuing debate on Brexit but it is important though that there is balance in that debate. It is not about Ireland being protectionist. It is about Ireland looking after our own interests and protecting ourselves in the context of being good Europeans.