Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. We hope against hope that much of this legislation will not be needed, but there are stark lessons to be learned. It is not acceptable for the DUP and the ERG to hold a country to ransom and it should prompt further thinking about our relationship with the United Kingdom as good neighbours and whom we leave in control of our destiny. It speaks to the fact that we need to consider holding a referendum on Irish unity. This is not a party political issue but an issue for citizens. There is an onus on every citizen to look at how we can govern ourselves to avoid being held to ransom by such groups which have not just ignored the nationalist or republican population of the North but also unionist businesses, agriculture, families and all other constituents.

Reference was made to the abstentionist policy of Sinn Féin. It is the policy for which our supporters in the North voted. The Tory Government and the DUP should heed the fact that the majority in the North voted to remain within the European Union. The Union has a responsibility to play a part in shaping our future and dealing with the constitutional issue with which we are faced. At all times, Sinn Féin has sought to be constructive at MEP and MP level and also in the Oireachtas. We have played our part in every way we can. We supported the Government when we thought it was right to so do. We have contributed to critical analysis, including of the European Union. It is important that that analysis continue far beyond the withdrawal agreement. From the beginning, we have stated the North needs special status within the European Union and that need holds firm today. The backstop is of vital importance as insurance or a guarantee in the hope it will never have to be used, but it must retain its integrity. It is astounding that the British Prime Minister sought an agreement from the European Union last night without first discussing it with and having it approved by her Attorney General.

Sinn Féin welcomes the Bill. However, as evidenced by the number of amendments we tabled on Committee Stage in the Dáil, we see major gaps in it. We need explanations. Many of the amendments we tabled in the Dáil were ruled out of order. It is not acceptable just to state they are being ruled out of order. We need a full explanation of the rationale each one has been ruled out of order. We await that explanation from the Government, the Cathaoirleach and the Leader of the Seanad. Of course, the Government may table amendments on Committee Stage to try to provide the extra reassurance Sinn Féin thinks is required.

Since the Bill was first introduced in the Dáil a number of weeks ago, many questions have emerged about very practical issues. The issue of car insurance and the need for a green card are still causing worry and confusion. It is disappointing that the Sinn Féin amendment which sought to give the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, the power to clarify the position was rejected.The performance of the Minister in offering reassurance to those who cross the Border every day has been less than impressive.

On finance and taxation matters, the priorities are stability and continuity. Much of the Bill seeks to continue taxation policies Sinn Féin does not naturally support and we may have particular concerns about some of the proposals made. However, as they represent a continuation of existing policies, we will not raise objections to them because the Bill is about maintaining the status quo in the event that there is a no-deal Brexit. My colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, asked the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, to confirm that no additional tax measures outside those contained in the Bill were being proposed. I trust that remains the case. Many Ministers have signalled at various committees and in the Dáil and the Seanad that they will seek changes to state aid rules.

Roaming fees for mobile phone usage are of concern. Anybody living or working in a Border area knows how high roaming charges were before they were abolished. In many Border areas it was impossible to tell which carrier's service would be available. That made planning for communications costs almost impossible. In a similar vein to many of our other amendments, Sinn Féin is stating it cannot be left up to individual companies or even another government to ensure anti-business measures such as roaming charges will not return.

Ministers must to report to the Oireachtas after a potential no-deal Brexit and identify the areas that evidentially will be hit the hardest. Solutions should then be drawn up based on the recommendations made. While Sinn Féin supports the Bill, it is seeking to strengthen and expand it. We will continue to do so in the coming two days in the Seanad.