Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister for Justice and Equality on his marking of the 25th anniversary of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn's legislation to decriminalise homosexuality with an apology to the victims of that criminalisation. It was a landmark human rights legislation and it represented the evolution of our society and civilization. In that regard I congratulate Senator Norris for the lone pioneering work he did in the area when it was not a publicly popular cause. I also will briefly reference something else from yesterday before making the substantive point I wish to make today. I concur with remarks made yesterday about the separation of children on the Mexican border. It is a horror. As foreign affairs spokesman for our party, I am in total agreement with those comments. It is a shocking and horrendous case, particularly from the beacon of the free world, the United States.

There are reports this morning that we could be heading for a crash-out Brexit and please God that will not happen. In the event of this happening, it is vital that we have a package of support, particularly for businesses along the Border corridor. It will have to include tax concessions and other positive support from the Government. It will have to be real and take account of a fall in sterling and its impact along the Border. It will be incumbent on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to fight vehemently to maintain the Common Agricultural Policy at its current level. There is a proposed 5% reduction unless we get five remaining countries to agree to increase their contribution to the budget and that must happen. I ask the Minister and the Taoiseach to make very strong efforts in that respect.

I ask the Leader to bring in the relevant Ministers to this House for a very serious discussion on what we will do in that doomsday scenario. How will we support tourism, small business, food processing and manufacturing in the Border counties? What practical aid will be given to the people in Cavan, Monaghan and right along the Border to deal with what will be a frightening position if it arises?