Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I want Mr. Hogan to know that it is very important there is a multi-denominational approach to the Leader review and that it does a proper analysis on the current delivery model as opposed to the previous delivery model. How can the TEN-T projects, which were withdrawn by then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, be reinstated and put back on to the multi-billion euro trans-European structural funding stream? These are my two questions, both of which are vital to the west.

It is fully understandable that since the crisis provoked by Brexit, the focus in the Oireachtas, in the European Parliament and in Britain has been around the economic consequences for Ireland, North and South. There is, however, another very important issue that does not get due attention, which I believe it is long overdue. It is the threat posed by Brexit to the many long established human rights in Ireland, North and South. The human rights protections that derive from the EU - not from Westminster - that have been embedded in the law for the past 40 years are now in jeopardy. Perhaps Mr. Hogan will give the Seanad an update on the promised annex listing the human rights to be protected in the final withdrawal agreement. Where is that annex currently?

Does the Commissioner know if people in the North will lose their right to vote and stand in the EU election? Will the people of the North lose their representation in the European Parliament as a result of Brexit? Let us remember that the people of the North voted to remain in the EU. This democratic result is being ignored by the British Government and by the unionist parties. It is a flagrant abuse of people's democratic rights, specifically their right to vote. Does Brexit remove the rights of those citizens in the North who carry Irish passports and who are EU citizens by virtue of their passport and citizenship? Does Brexit remove clause 6 of the Good Friday Agreement that guarantees Irish or British citizenship and Irish-British citizenship to the people of the North? Will Brexit remove the common travel area of the EU? This is a central arena for the single economic market. Will Mr. Hogan clarify the situation around the free movement between Ireland and Britain? This has been part of our lives for so long on this island. Will Brexit threaten this also?

These are just a few, small samples of the questions that arise from Brexit and the threats it poses to the human rights of people in the North and South. People in this country need answers to these and other questions with regard to their human rights. If we do not have human rights then we do not have anything.