Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Taoiseach to the House here today. It is fitting that we reflect on where we are as a House, as a nation and as two Chambers.

The Taoiseach made reference to the 70th anniversary. John A. Costello the year before, in Canada, had declared that we were going to become a Republic and President Seán T. O'Kelly signed the Act into law. Both sides of the political divide worked together.

Nancy Pelosi, at the joint sitting of the Houses yesterday, said that Ireland was a very young nation, being less than 100 years old, yet we are one of the oldest civilisations in the world. Let us work with that and consider our global footprint. Let us consider the fact that the Leader of the House of Representatives in the US came to Ireland yesterday, spoke to a joint sitting of the Houses and said that Ireland plays a significant role and has done for many generations. I see Senator Lawless is seated among us and he represents the diaspora. Let us consider the fact that Ms Pelosi stated categorically that no deals in any form would be done in trade deals with the UK that would in any way compromise the Good Friday Agreement. She went so far as to say she hoped that particular decision would not ever arise. The Taoiseach made a striking speech a year ago when he spoke about a republic of opportunity and I believe that we are. He mentioned in his speech about this being a significant period of change. Senator McDowell spoke about Ireland changing and being more open and inclusive. It is key that we continue to be a republic of opportunity whereby every child achieves his or her maximum potential. We also must put into being that every region of Ireland will share in any prosperity. That is what Project 2040 is about. We must ensure that if people go through difficult times, they will get a second chance. That is critical and we all have a role to play.

I echo the calls for the Northern Ireland Assembly to get up and running as quickly as possible. I have met people who live in the North and one thing that came across was that the Assembly in the North is about initiating policies. Ms O'Neill, who is now the Sinn Féin leader in the North, has spoken about how a health document that was launched before the Assembly fell is sitting on a shelf and doing absolutely nothing to reform the health sector in the North. Therefore, we all have responsibilities.

Finally, I welcome that there has been an extension in respect of Brexit. I compliment the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and all the parties for their bipartisan approach to Brexit. I for one hope there will be no Brexit. I want to see every opportunity taken to ensure that there is no Brexit. I hope common sense will prevail. I hope the British people will get the decision they deserve, which is no Brexit.