Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fíor-fáilte roimh an Tánaiste. I thank the Tánaiste for being here this evening, for making himself available to the Seanad so regularly and for his address to the House this evening. Senator Feighan referred to the suggestion we have heard from Senators McDowell and Marshall that the world we live in today is volatile and deeply divided. We are at a crossing point. The mid-term elections that are happening in the US today can be said to equate to a referendum. Tomorrow morning, there will be some certainty about the composition of the House of Representatives and the Senate. We do not have such certainty in the case of Brexit. That is not the fault of the Irish Government. Brexit does not being clarity or certainty. I heard what the Tánaiste said about the imagination displayed by Michel Barnier. I do not know about Mr. Barnier's imagination, but I certainly admire his steel, his toughness and his willingness to come up with different formulae.

It is important to recognise that in his work as a Minister and as a constitutional republican, as well as in his visits to the North, his comments and his willingness to work with all sides of the divide, the Tánaiste has provided a practical demonstration that Ireland's future relationship with the UK is important, as are the future relationships between all traditions on this island in the North and the South. This is exemplified in this Chamber by Senator Marshall, by the Tánaiste's remarks and by the Tánaiste's actual work. We must continue to build bridges. There must be seamless interaction. To be fair to the Tánaiste, he has always said that Brexit will be a net negative because there is no good outcome from Brexit. It will change our landscape for a generation or more.

Notwithstanding the difficulties we have to encounter, we must recognise what has been achieved to date. This House should join others in commending the officials in the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and of the Taoiseach on their work on Brexit and their efforts to build alliances across the EU. We should unreservedly acknowledge and commend the stewardship of the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and the iar-Thaoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. The work of our colleague and friend, Senator Richmond, in chairing the Brexit committee, in building relationships and in challenging untruths across many forums should also be mentioned. To be honest, the Government's work has always been about protecting the interests of the island of Ireland, North and South, and the interests of all of our people. It has been a reasonable and pragmatic position.

As a constituency colleague and political competitor - not rival - of the Tánaiste, I am very proud of the role he has played in wearing the green jersey and flying the flag of Europe. Ireland is a central part of the EU. The Tánaiste can take great pride in the debate he has led, in the manner of his communication and in the way he has built alliances. It is very important. I am very proud. I want to pay tribute to him for the work he has done. He has been calm, diligent and honest. He has shown leadership. Senator Marshall used the word "disruptor" in his remarks. The Tánaiste is not a disruptor. He is a leader. He is about bringing people together. That can be seen in the cavalry of support we have received. I do not mean to be partisan when I refer to what I have heard from people in this Chamber and the other Chamber and say that this is far too important a matter to bring partisanship into it.

This House will be addressed by the Lord Mayor of Belfast on Thursday. It is a gargantuan move for this House and for the Oireachtas. It would not have happened 20 years ago, but it is happening on Thursday. That is what this Government has been about. It has been about building bridges and bringing people with us. We are at a very critical point in the EU and in the world as a whole. I think we need to support our Government. The Tánaiste was right when he said in his opening remarks that this "is not solely about economics" but "is also about people's lives and protecting the gains and benefits of the peace process".