Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 16 Members of the House who contributed on the Order of Business today. The issues of Brexit and the vote in the House of Commons last night were raised by Senators Horkan, Craughwell, Norris, Ned O'Sullivan, McDowell, O'Reilly, Feighan, Wilson and Mullen. Many Senators also expressed concern about the consequences for our beef industry in the context of the tariff information that was published this morning by the British Government. Tariffs will have a negative impact and will not be helpful in any shape or form. We all agree with Senator Ned O'Sullivan that it is critical that the Government holds firm, remains calm and steady in its approach and continues to articulate and advocate for the Irish position. There is no good outcome from Brexit at all. It is important that we continue to reach out across the European Union to our friends and allies and to explain the significance of what has happened in Westminster. It is up to the British Government now to show us what it wants. We still do not know what it wants. Irrespective of the views of some, there is a need for political leadership from the British Parliament now. Do they want a hard Brexit? Do they want to crash out of the European Union?

We have spent an inordinate amount of time, as a Union, negotiating the withdrawal agreement. The British must now tell us what they want to do next. It is not up to us to inform the British of the way forward. A no-deal Brexit serves nobody. It does not serve the United Kingdom, Ireland or Europe. The House will be engaged today in debating and progressing the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019. Mr. Michel Barnier this morning said that the withdrawal agreement is the only treaty available. As Senator Norris said, we want to avoid an at-war effect vis-à-visthe British because, as Senator McDowell said, they are our closest neighbours.