Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have rehearsed the raft of problematic issues associated with Brexit. I do not need to rehearse them once more. While I appreciate what the Tánaiste has said about what the Government can and cannot do, that is not to say that the Commission could not have taken action regarding a potential waiver around some of these issues. There is a precedent for that. A waiver was put in place in Serbia in 2011. I hear what the Tánaiste is saying. I ask him to understand and accept that we have come to this in a spirit of collaboration. Throughout the rest of this process, we will continue to work co-operatively with the Government. However, there is a real and fundamental expectation that this issue will be pushed as far as it can. I am conscious of what way it will probably go in the Seanad. I understand what the Tánaiste is saying and what he hopes to do going forward on this issue. I take him at his word in that regard. However, it would be expected of me and of us to take this amendment, and the issue, as far as we can today.