Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important debate. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, on the role she has played since her appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs in building relationships and forging alliances across the European continent.

I also commend the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, on his stewardship and sure-footed handling of matters. Those who criticised the choreographic nature of a photograph last Sunday misunderstand the importance of forging relationships, making friendships and being informed.

I am taken by the fact that we are in the middle of Storm Gareth. I have often wondered, in the course of the Brexit debate, what influence the late Garret FitzGerald could have brought to the whole debate. He was a very pro-European leader of the Fine Gael Party and it is fair to say that the stormy weather of Brexit is something we must overcome.

We debated the future of Europe last week and the need to reflect upon the reasons and rationale for why a plurality of the UK voted to leave. It is incumbent on all of us who are pro-European and want Ireland to be at the centre and heart of Europe and have that key influential voice to reflect upon why the British people voted to leave.

That said, I hope the Bill before us today is one we never will have to implement and put into practice. Senator Coffey touched quite eloquently on the fact that this is about the movement of people, the freedom to trade, the importance of the 32-county island of Ireland and how our people move, interact and engage. It is equally about the place of the North in a future Europe.

We have heard a lot of commentary from many voices in Westminster today. There seems to be a lack of political leadership and courage by some in the UK.I noted the comments of the UK Attorney General, Mr. Cox, that the text agreed last night did not go far enough. What has changed from last night? We have given the UK an opportunity to leave and Michel Barnier and his team deserve our praise and thanks for that. The responses of the DUP, the ERG and others suggest that the withdrawal agreement will be defeated tonight. As Senator Richmond has often said, there is no good Brexit outcome, no matter what happens.

It mystifies me as to why parliamentarians across the water are gambling with the future not just of their own people but also intrinsically the people of Ireland and the European project itself. That is a worry.

We appointed a Seanad committee at the beginning of the Brexit debate and I commend Senator Richmond for his chairmanship of the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It is fair to say that the Senator has grown in stature as part of this debate and his sure-footed chairing of the committee and articulation of the Irish argument is to be commended. I say that genuinely and not patronisingly. At a time of noise and heat from the cauldron of Westminster, it is refreshing to have calm and collected voices on this side.

It is also important to recognise that, arising from Brexit, we must work on the centrality of the importance of our future relationship with the United Kingdom. Notwithstanding the difficulties we are now encountering, they are our closest neighbours. Six parts of this island are part of the UK. We want to continue with a Border through which we can come and go. Equally, we need to continue our trade relationships with the UK. As the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, said in her speech ancillary parts such as Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grants, travel and medicine mean that it is important we continue an all-island approach.

The Government has always been about avoiding a hard border and protecting our interests. We can say it is regrettable that there is no Irish voice in Westminster but, in saying that, the Government has sought to build new relationships around Europe, North America and to forge other new alliances. That will be necessary no matter what happens on 29 March or in the event of an Article 50 delay.

Is the solution to keep Northern Ireland closely aligned to EU trade that bad? The people in the North voted to stay. What has the DUP to fear? Relationships have been built since the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews declaration. We would all prefer if there was a Government in action in the North but that is a different matter. Today is about giving assurances to those people who are worried. We have entered into this as a country and Government in good faith all the time. It is critical, arising from today, that this relationship is maintained. Ireland has been very clear that its purpose has been the protection of the Good Friday Agreement and the withdrawal agreement that was signed and agreed between the EU and the British Government. There has been no second-guessing, hiding or obfuscation. Equally, Michel Barnier has demonstrated that he has been trying to find a way through.

I praise the Taoiseach for the work he has done. People are quick to criticise and talk about his comments on the Border commitments being bulletproof and whatever but there has been no change since the press conference at which he said that. I thank the Government for the work it has done. I hope our colleagues at Westminster will have the sense to vote to accept the deal tonight in order that we can all plan for the future and protect citizens.