Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. He has worked tirelessly with the EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, and a trade deal is necessary, but not at any cost. The willingness to compromise has to be demonstrated by all sides.

The vote on the Brexit referendum in 2016 left the world in shock, and it left me in shock. The historic result of 51.9% to 49.1% changed the future of engagement between the UK, Europe and Ireland. However, our previous Government and Departments immediately stepped up with a Brexit readiness plan. Dedicated ministerial teams took part in all the engagements that the Minister mentioned earlier. Now we are so thankful for the support of President-elect, Joe Biden. Up until Covid-19, this was the largest challenge facing the Irish people and economy, and the previous Government put urgent measures in place once the Brexit vote happened.

I attended the University of Ulster, Coleraine to undertake a postgraduate course, I completed modules on the EU and I worked in the European Commission office in Belfast for a number of months as a student intern. I met many international Erasmus students there, I lived in Portstewart, I worked in Dungannon, and some of my best friends live in Northern Ireland. Ireland has strong links with the UK and many Irish people live and work there and vice versa. We have a shared history, which I have studied, and now we are entering into historic and unprecedented times. This Bill will have a significant impact on how we engage with the UK and Northern Ireland for students, friends, families, work and travel. As Senator Currie stated, the Good Friday Agreement must be protected and there must be a level playing field in respect of engagement between the EU and third countries. We need to have strong transitional plans in place.

From 1 January 2021, the rules for the EU Single Market will not apply in the UK. This will have a drastic impact on sectors in Ireland, particularly, the farming and agrifood sectors. There are sections of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine dedicated to supporting farmers in preparation for these changes, but coming from a farming background, I am very worried. Teagasc has recently reported that a no-deal Brexit will result in a €690 million drop in farm incomes, and according to the report it published today, the average farm family's income will potentially drop by 18%.

The actions over the next few days need our full attention, and there must also be a focus on supply chains and road haulage. I commend the Minister and his officials on the investment being made in our ports to prepare for import charges. More than 1,500 staff will be hired and €30 million is being spent on customs and safety checks in Dublin Port alone. In budget 2021, in excess of €340 million has been set aside for Brexit-related measures. I appreciate the efforts by the Revenue to contact more than 90,000 businesses and to make more than 14,000 calls. The efforts that are being made to ensure that we are prepared for what will happen at the start of January are incredible. This work has been ongoing over the past few years.

Regarding access to the €5 billion EU Brexit adjustment reserve, which is going to be crucial, particularly in farming, how will we be able to draw down on this reserve in 2021? We are building a plan for the future and we are laying new foundations with the UK based on this new reality. The Bill focuses on protecting the common travel area, mitigating impacts to our economy, the Good Friday Agreement, medical and social welfare, immigration and many other issues, which illustrates how entwined we are with our nearest neighbour.

I pay tribute to the Minister and to all 11 Ministers and officials involved in this omnibus legislation. Cross-party support is so welcome at this challenging time, and is particularly important to ensure that this legislation is in place by the end of December 2020, and that the Cabinet, Government and all parties here are ready and resilient, particularly to support people and livelihoods from January 2021. I wish the Minister the strongest resolve as the representative in the people of Ireland in these final days of negotiation with the UK. To all the Ministers and negotiators involved, I say, Ní neart go cur le chéile.