Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tomorrow is a very important day as it is the date the British Government has proposed to publish a White Paper on its exit from the European Union. It is a do or die day for Prime Minister May. The print was hardly set on the paper when it was denounced by David Davis and Boris Johnson, who have both walked out of Cabinet. It does not augur well for the White Paper becoming official policy if there is acoup d'état against Prime Minister May in the next few days.

Nevertheless, if the White Paper is agreed on and presented to Mr. Barnier, our diplomats and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, should be proactive in working with the British Government in respect of a good deal for the United Kingdom. A good deal for Britain should be a good deal for Ireland. We have so much in common and there is trade of €1.1 billion a week between our two countries. We have the most to lose in these negotiations.

I was in Vienna on Monday at a meeting of the chairmen of all the European affairs committees in the EU, including representatives from the UK Government. I reminded my colleagues that we are an island off an island off the mainland of Europe. We are more affected than any other region in the European Union. That is why we have to get special concessions. If the White Paper is agreed and becomes part of the negotiations, I am hopeful there will be a good outcome allowing free trade between the United Kingdom and Ireland on a constant basis without any barriers or borders and with freedom of movement of people, goods and services.