Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Mac Lochlainn raised an issue regarding Rockall, which is very worrying. All of this is happening because of Brexit. There is no reason to exclude Irish vessels from the waters around Rockall. As stated by the Taoiseach, the situation will change post-Brexit and we need to be very vigilant because 35% of our fish are caught in UK waters. Brexit brings all of these complications. We need to work in a very clear way. I was in Westminster on Monday night and what is happening there is very worrying and is of no help. We now have the Tory leadership battle, which Boris Johnson looks like a racing certainty to win because he has most support among Conservative MPs.

There is a huge nationalist populism in the UK. If we saw it in Europe, we would be complaining. It is there and it is in Ireland as well. One young man who is trying to become the leader of the Conservative Party, Rory Stewart, has brought a bit of sanity to the process. He has shown an interest in Northern Ireland and stated that Brexit will have a devastating effect on Northern Ireland. He has called for a citizens' assembly and asked that more reality than rhetoric to be brought to this issue. It is nice to see one of the Conservative Party hopefuls talking about the damage that Brexit will do to Northern Ireland, which has to recognised here today.