Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague, Senator McDowell, that it is time for cool heads. The publication this morning of the proposed tariffs etc. that may come into place as a result of a hard Brexit was more to send a wake-up call to the Brexiteers in the Conservative Party that this is what is facing Britain than what it would mean to people on this island. I hope we will have cool heads. I believe it will be sorted. It may take longer than anticipated but I believe it will be sorted to the satisfaction of most people. While I agree there is no such thing as a good Brexit, I believe we will get the best possible Brexit in the long run, but we will need to remain calm.

I join Senators Craughwell and Conway-Walsh in highlighting concern about the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017. I am aware it is not scheduled for discussion today because it part of the business ordered for tomorrow. I highlight that there are concerns about that Bill progressing through this House at this time. It is, after all, a Seanad Bill. I do not want to see this House being used to rush through legislation mainly for the sake of optics.That is what I believe is happening in this regard because after it passes through this House, if it so passes, it must go to the Lower House, and there is no mention of it on the Dáil schedule for the coming weeks. What is the rush? We should take time to look rationally at what has been proposed in this legislation. I am putting the Leader on notice that we will not be agreeing to allow all Stages of this Bill go through this House tomorrow. I ask the Leader to use his good offices to speak with the Minister, Deputy Creed, and to the Government Chief Whip to ensure we are not put in the position of having to do that tomorrow. There is no need to rush this legislation, particularly at this time when we are awaiting for an outcome to Brexit.