Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will leave the rest to colleagues who do not keep to the time.

The Tánaiste has been an outstanding voice on this issue, both North and South, and has given brilliant representation, both distinctive and distinguished. Much has been said about Brexit. Those who know more than me have spoken better and know the issues better so I will not rehash in any way what they have said. We have given our views in several languages and at all levels, and all territories have been represented.

Speaking of territories, I would like to ask a question of my colleague from the North, Senator Ó Donnghaile. He spoke about citizens' rights. Sinn Féin MPs were elected in the North and are not in their seats. Would the Senator outline to us the Northern Irish people's citizens' rights in this regard? It would be interesting to find out what he has to say about that since he talked about citizens' rights. Furthermore, regarding the referendum on Irish unity, which we have been hearing about from some senatorial colleagues, when the parties cannot unify themselves in Stormont, how do they expect to unify themselves when it comes to cross-Border unification between the South and the North?

I have one question I would like to ask the Minister about the backstop. We know it is essential, I know the arguments and I know it is not up for negotiation.However, can the Minister outline how far does the fact that it is not up for negotiation create no deal? How linked is the backstop to no deal? In other words, what is the momentary and continuing level of causation between the backstop and no deal? Are the Brexiteers calling the backstop something that it is not? Leaving everything else aside, this is the impasse, or so we are told. I do not wish to know about the 26 member states which voted for it because it is an impasse everywhere. What is the link or level of causation between the backstop and no deal? Perhaps the Minister will answer that question because the rest of what I have listened to in the last hour or so is just wallpaper from some Senators.