Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome and I stress at the outset that we will support the Bill. I recognise the very hard work the Minister has been undertaking for some time now on this issue. I want to take a couple of minutes to speak about Brexit itself. Far too often when people speak about Brexit we hear a simplistic narrative that pits a wholesome European Union with its much vaunted values of decency and democracy against the dark forces of British politics. While the xenophobic, backward, empire nostalgia of the Tory party certainly make for excellent pantomime villains the truth is there really are major problems with the current model of the European Union. Britain is not alone in seeing the rise of the far right from the fringe to power. We see it throughout Europe. It was mentioned earlier with regard to Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria. They are already in power. We can see in Spain, Italy and France where they are threatening to come to power. An honest analysis of this is required and we need to address why it is happening. I suggest the decades long policy of neoliberalism and the impact of this on political life throughout the continent is at the heart of a real difficulty of the European project.

I point to the excellent work done by Irish academic, Emma Clancy, who has examined the role of the unelected European Commission in imposing austerity throughout Europe. Just one example is the fact that between 2011 and 2018 the European Commission insisted on 63 separate cuts to public health services throughout Europe. All of these cuts and forced privatisation were to achieve targets set out in the Stability and Growth Pact, which was a hugely retrograde aspect of the European Union fiscal treaty of 2013. It is significant that even IBEC has questioned the appropriateness of being tied to such tight limits in recent years. While the Stability and Growth Pact is currently on hold, which is very welcome, I am concerned that the Minister for Finance continues to be a champion of this particular pact. There needs to be a big conversation on the direction of the European Union. The left has been very poor in this regard. I do not expect conservative parties to make these arguments but all of us on the left need to be more honest about the real pitfalls of the current direction of travel for the European Union and insist on an honest and open debate.

What is very clear from the whole Brexit debacle is the absurdity of partition, and the idea that one part of this island can be inside the EU while the others outside is ridiculous on so many levels. The protocol is an essential bulwark against this happening but it can be regarded as at best an interim solution. Business owners, and particularly sections of the agricultural economy in the North, are now open to a discussion on an alternative future as part of an all-island economy. We need to have this national conversation and begin to put building blocks in place for referendums that will surely happen later in this decade.

I want to raise the issue of energy. With the closure of Moneypoint power station and the Kinsale gas field ceasing production in July we appear to be ever more reliant on this island on imported gas from Britain. The British energy regulator, Ofgem, announced changes to its charging regime. Irish regulators and utilities asked for certain modifications and dispensations from Ofgem. These included a specific Ireland security discount intended to help security of supply. Ofgem rejected the suggestion, effectively stating it was not prepared to make a special case for Ireland. Perhaps the Minister will have an opportunity to speak about what our plans are to ensure we move away from this huge dependency at present on Britain.

I also express some concern about shipping. At present, 150,000 Irish freight units cross Britain every year, which is approximately 3,000 lorries a week. This has developed into an essential route. Approximately 83% of our roll-on, roll-off rate leaves Ireland via Dublin. There is quite an imbalance there. Our trading has been centred in one part of the island and in one direction. I know there have been changes recently, and a Danish shipping company announcing new routes from Rosslare last week, but clearly a lot more needs to be done and I would like to hear the Minister's views on this.

I have particular concerns about the agricultural sector, which Senator Mullen also mentioned. It continues to be a significant part of our economy. I welcome the fact the Government will plan to give support to the sector but I have to say I have real concerns with regard to the red meat sector in particular. As someone who has worked closely in that sector as a trade union official I have real concerns with regard to the welfare of the workers, the very poor rates of pay and the anti-trade union attitude, which is to the forefront of so many of those companies. I ask that when we support the industry we insist on decent terms and conditions for those workers and that we insist in particular on their right to be represented by trade unions.

I have a concern, as many others do, that once Britain embarks on its new future it may move towards a Singapore model, whereby it will move to very low rates of pay and terms and conditions, and effectively tries to undermine decent terms and conditions in this country. We need to be very aware of this. There is very important role for social dialogue in this regard, in particular to include our trade union movement in a quick response method. We do not really know what will face us in the early months of next year and I would like the Minister's opinions on this.