Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is now a proposal to break the UK's own law or, one presumes, to change it in the utmost bad faith. I accept that the Irish Government must play a careful game of not being seen to be unreasonable and of keeping its language polite, respectful and so on, and that the EU, too, is playing a careful game not to run into the trap of being seen to be aggressive towards the UK and, in particular, the Johnson Administration. I do not believe, however, that the Johnson Administration is being truthful. It is deliberately engaging in misinformation and distortion of the truth, and misleading its own public. I do not believe that it will obey the terms of the Benn Act but that it will instead try to wriggle out of it and create a political crisis by 31 October. It seems to be intent on doing that. Although I fully support the Irish Government in everything it does on the matter - I do not want to take away from that in any way - we have to be realistic now. It is clear what is happening. Bully tactics, and bandit tactics in respect of international policy and the Good Friday Agreement, are being organised by Mr. Cummings and Mr. Johnson. I guarantee the House that if we wait a few weeks, we will find out the extent of the untruth and bullying being put on as a show with a view to garnering support for a November election to seek a majority for the Tory Party, which has never been a friend to Ireland in respect of Northern Ireland.