James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a difficult time for these islands and for Europe. One is very conscious of how delicate the situation is. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, for all her endeavours in Europe to date on this issue. Both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have been very sensitive in their negotiations and all their utterances to date. I hope I do not say anything that might cause any untoward consequences. It is clear that there is no win for anybody in the situation, either for this country or for the UK or Europe, notwithstanding how some might perceive it otherwise. Nonetheless, as with every issue that sends challenges, there also come opportunities, and there will be opportunities for Ireland. However, I think there is a general consensus that that is going to be outweighed considerably by the problems and challenges that businesses, and the agriculture and tourism sectors in this country will face.

All in this House acknowledge the close relationship between the islands. All we have to do is look at the surnames in both jurisdictions and realise how much we share genetically. That said, following what the previous speaker said, I note that neither Sinn Féin nor Fianna Fáil have any monopoly on republicanism. Many people in this country aspire to a united country, but not one united through force and enmity but rather through consensus and friendship. It is difficult for people in business to assess fully the challenges Brexit will bring for them, yet we know through the Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation and through the efforts of the Department that people have been advised to examine closely how it might affect them, even though they might not directly have a business that exports to the UK or that gets its imports from the UK. There are indirect consequences in terms of from where some of their supply chain might come, even if it is through a third party or because it may have to pass through the so-called UK landbridge.

From the point of view of jobs, significant progress has been made in terms of employment in this country and we do not want to see that undermined by a bad deal or a no-deal Brexit. We hope and wish that tonight's vote would prove to be positive towards Mrs. May's proposals but, notwithstanding that this may not be case, that there can be an understanding that it is in no one's interests that we have a no-deal Brexit. I do not wish to take up the time of the House any longer than is necessary, only to wish all those involved well. I hope that common sense can prevail and that a realisation is found that there cannot be any winners in this regard unless everybody pulls together and that it is everybody's interests that a deal is reached ultimately.