Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----but it does not and does not represent them in terms of the view that Northern Ireland wishes to remain. Likewise, it is ironic that no Northern Ireland Assembly has functioned for two years, as a result of which there is a clearly a democratic vacuum and an absence of political voices that would genuinely represent Northern Ireland and its interests.

I commend the Tánaiste, his officials, the team in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and across the Government who have negotiated so hard on behalf of Ireland, not just on behalf of this jurisdiction but on behalf of the entire island in the absence of a real forum for democratically expressing the views of the Northern Ireland electorate through the Assembly. That has been unfortunate and perhaps has contributed to what has been notable from the British political system generally, namely, an ignorance about the potential and real impact of Brexit on this island, North and South.

With some notable exceptions we have seen MPs and Ministers from Britain demonstrate a real ignorance about the impact on Ireland. There are exceptions of course. I might single out MPs such as Stephen Pound, the British Labour MP for Ealing North. Senator Richmond is aware that he gave an 80 second dissection of the Brexit impasse in September which went viral because he outlined very starkly what it would mean for Ireland. He said it is life and death to the people of Ireland. He pointed out the reality that a 500 km border with 282 crossing points cannot be solved with cameras or surveillance. He said once a border is reconstituted, it would become a target. His words are deeply and depressingly prescient. He also said if one has a target one has to defend the target and one must also protect the defenders. He further said that once one has uniformed officers on the Border the peace process is undermined. The European Commission's confirmation today that a no-deal Brexit would mean a return to a border starkly outlines the seriousness of Brexit, especially the implications of a no-deal Brexit.

We have seen some really good commentary from other MPs such as Keir Starmer and Hilary Benn, both of whom I have met, and Stella Creasy and Joanna Cherry from the Scottish National Party, SNP. I do not wish to condemn British politicians generally, but it has been most frustrating for the Irish side and for the EU 27 to negotiate effectively in the dark not knowing what the British side is seeking and to see the split within the Tory Party deepening to the extent where we saw the enormous defeat for Theresa May's withdrawal agreement. Clearly, the withdrawal agreement was the best we could have hoped for in that context but it now seems to be dead in the water. As a Labour Party Senator I very much welcome the significant shift from the British Labour Party last night. I hope we will see Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader coming out strongly to back a second referendum. Unfortunately, that voice has been lacking but we now see 71 Labour Party MPs, including leading figures such as Sadiq Khan backing the people's vote in a second referendum. It may be that it would become a more likely outcome in the 66 days left. Many of us very much hope for that. In the absence of any clarity in that regard and in advance of the votes next week about which the Tánaiste has spoken, it is correct that the Government is now preparing and planning for a no-deal Brexit.

My party leader, Deputy Howlin, raised in the Dáil, as others have raised here, real concerns about lack of preparedness, about a laissez-faireapproach to many issues. In particular he raised the three stark concerns he has about ports and ferries, the recent worrying announcement by Irish Ferries, about the lack of investment in Rosslare Europort and an absence of sufficient infrastructure in our ports generally. He also raised a concern others have raised about the pharmaceutical industry and the availability of short-life medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit. I know that is a major concern for people in Britain also. He also referred to the need for investment in infrastructure such as the electricity grid to ensure that we are not going to be impacted in that regard by a no-deal Brexit.

If there is a positive to be drawn it is the unity of the EU 27 on the backstop. Others have spoken about the ostracising of the Polish Foreign Minister who broke the line on that and seemed to have been speaking very much on a personal level. The unity of the EU 27 on the backstop and the need for a backstop is very welcome, as is the unity of purpose nationally where we have seen political parties approach the issue in a constructive manner. Opposition parties have worked with the Tánaiste. I commend him for briefing the Opposition throughout the process. He can be assured of the support of my own Seanad Technical Group. I think I can speak for them all, although not all members in the group are from the Labour Party. We will work constructively with the Tánaiste and we are very happy to co-operate on the timeline he has helpfully outlined for us in terms of the Brexit omnibus legislation. We are pleased to see plans for that crystallising.

I am also pleased to see the all-island civic dialogue. I attended previous sessions of that. It is very useful and helpful to hear stakeholders speak. There is some comfort and positivity to be gained from what is a very negative situation for Ireland from the unity we have had from our EU colleagues and within our own political system. However, there are serious questions about preparedness on specific areas and the need to ensure we have adequate recruitment of additional personnel where needed. Ultimately, while preparing for the worst, we must hope for the best.A people's vote with a strong, dynamic and positive "Remain" campaign remains the best outcome for Ireland.