Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Uncertainty persists as time rapidly runs out on this discussion, but credit must be given to the Tánaiste and to those who tirelessly pursue an agreement between the UK and the EU. Two years on, it has become much clearer that a UK exit makes absolutely no sense, with no evidence of any economic or social argument to support a withdrawal. We are informed, however, that this is democracy and that we must respect the referendum result, which we do. The citizens of the UK spoke on 23 June 2016 on the basis of information much of which we now know to be questionable, not credible, possibly misleading, subjective and often completely untruthful. Their decision was Brexit, but is it still Brexit? If Brexit was the sale of a car, it would have been returned under mis-selling of goods legislation or trade descriptions legislation because what the electorate were sold and what they have received are completely different. To continue the analogy of the car, the model is different, the colour is different, the engine size is different and the running costs are different. As regards safety, we are not even sure if it has an airbag or a backstop.

What is the responsible thing to do? Perhaps it is to ask the people if the deal they are getting is what they thought or what they wanted. If it is not, then let the British Government put the deal on the table and ask the people, in a truly democratic way, if this is the Brexit they want. This is more important now than ever. Last night, during a live debate on Channel 4 entitled "Brexit: What the Nation Really Thinks", the results of the biggest ever independent Brexit opinion poll were revealed. This poll was conducted by Channel 4 and Survation and involved 20,000 people being interviewed between 20 October and 2 November. The results are that 54% of people would vote to remain if the referendum was rerun tomorrow and that 105 council areas which voted leave in 2016 would now vote to remain. However, there is still much confusion. In the event of no deal, 35% state that the UK should stay in the EU and 36% think it should leave. Only 19% want more time for negotiations, with 33% declaring that they would reject a deal based on what they currently know about the negotiations, 34% indicated that they do not know and only 26% would accept the deal. Furthermore, and interestingly, most people do not seem to be concerned about the risk that Northern Ireland would leave the UK or that Scotland would seek independence. Some 44% indicated that they have concerns for Northern Ireland but 42% state that they have none. For those businesses that operate on one or both sides of the Border, however, this is no consolation. The Tánaiste referred to the 7,000 businesses involved and the 160,000 people they employ. Their fears are real. For those who depend on supplying, servicing or sourcing across the Border, the survey offers no comfort. Uncertainty is the order of the day.

This indicates the highly divided nature of the UK electorate and the rationale that exists to justify a people's vote. It would not be to question the 2016 referendum, but to validate the result. If, based on what people now understand to be Brexit, they still vote to leave, then so be it. As a democrat, this is something I, and we in this House, must respect and support.

I am extremely disappointed to see how Ireland’s role is being unfairly portrayed in these discussions, namely, as some sort of disruptor or with an agenda to disadvantage or act against the UK. Nothing could be further from the truth. The importance of strong British-Irish connections cannot be underestimated, both in the past and in the future. The efforts of those seeking to strike deals, on all sides, in the knowledge of how important this is for generations to come, needs to be applauded. I am encouraged by the commitment to the annual summits between the UK and Ireland. Ireland and Europe do not wish to see the UK leave, and the sensitivities of any backstop, from a unionist perspective, from a nationalist perspective, or from a British, Irish or Northern Irish perspective must be respected and understood. If this was straightforward we would have negotiated this within the two-year timeframe.

Last night’s Channel 4 poll results have restored my faith in the UK electorate. It is an intelligent electorate, keen to understand and to separate fact from fiction. Respect for them entails giving them the opportunity to validate the decision to leave or kick this to touch until such time as all the arguments are made, supported and substantiated. In a tweet earlier today, William Crawley of BBC Northern Ireland quoted Thomas Jefferson who stated, "The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate." The British electorate is an educated electorate.

The Tánaiste referred to a no-deal scenario. A no-deal Brexit would not serve Ireland well and nor would it serve Northern Ireland well. Interestingly, it would not serve the UK well either. I urge the Tánaiste and the Government to support the UK and Northern Ireland in the context of an exit strategy. However, I do not mean an exit strategy from the EU. I am referring to supporting the UK and Northern Ireland in finding an exit strategy to prevent them jumping off the cliff.