Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators Craughwell and Joe O'Reilly for their kind words. I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I am sure he will find cross-party support in this House for the Bill, as on the last occasion. It is rare that an issue unites all parties across the Oireachtas, but this is one of them. It is a testament to the strong and resilient Parliament we have and to the fact that Members of all parties and none ultimately have the best interests of the Irish people at heart. That is borne out when it comes to Brexit.

Four weeks from Friday next, the UK will exit the transition period and finally be outside the EU's Single Market and customs union. From 1 January, how we trade with the UK will be dramatically different. Even if a free trade agreement is concluded between the EU and UK, there will, of course, be significant and lasting change. It is vital that all businesses focus on Brexit preparedness as circumstances will not stay the same and as we move into the final stages.

The principal aim of this wide-ranging Bill is to tackle the range of complex issues that may arise for our citizens and businesses after the transition period. This legislation is part of the Government's work to prepare Ireland for Brexit. It will seek to protect our citizens and consumers as much as possible and reduce the possibility of a serious disruption to our economy. I hope it will ensure Irish businesses are not affected too severely.

The negotiations on the EU-UK future trade agreement have really been stepped up in intensity since 21 October, with negotiating teams on both sides working almost daily. Credit is due to the teams on both sides for their work in this regard. We hear a lot of talk about landing zones. We really hope they find those zones in the coming days.

The key issues remain. They include: the level playing field provisions to ensure fair competition; governance; and fisheries. The issue of fisheries is of key national interest to Ireland. Any deal must involve compromise on both sides, as we all accept, but it must not be at any cost . We must maintain the integrity of the Single Market and protect the Good Friday Agreement. Importantly, the deal done must, on the face of it and in its detail, be just and fair to all involved. As has been said from the beginning, there can be no cherry-picking of the Single Market, and it cannot be better to be outside the club than in it.

Mr. Michel Barnier has been fundamental to the unified and consistent approach of the EU 27 throughout the Brexit process, including at its most critical moments. As a country, we thank him and his team for their work. It is important to acknowledge the steadfast and unwavering support and solidarity of our EU partners. Other member states have stood squarely behind Ireland and have demonstrated, throughout the Brexit process, that they recognise the unique ways in which Ireland, North and South, is affected by Brexit. I believe strongly that this very clear and explicit display of support from other EU member states is crucial to the longevity and survival of the EU. It is a show that support and loyalty that members can expect from other member states, even if small. This is important at a time when the geopolitical landscape is particularly challenging for the EU and we are dealing with the considerable blow that Brexit has dealt us. As a union, we needed to come out strong and united. We have done that, much to the dismay and disbelief of others. Regardless of the outcome of the talks, we expect the full implementation of the withdrawal agreement, including the protocol on Northern Ireland. This remains a key concern for Ireland, given recent legislative proposals brought forward by the UK Government that directly sought to undermine that agreement and provoke mistrust. It is important that we continue to remind the UK that the agreement is a legally binding international agreement and that no part of it is optional. The UK must fulfil its obligations, to which it willingly signed up. The protocol on Northern Ireland is explicitly designed to operate regardless of whether an EU-UK future relationship agreement is in place.

As we approach the end of the transition period, there are still many unknowns. We have seen fishing rights come to the fore in recent months. This issue remains a key sticking point that is potentially blocking the ratification of a deal. The Taoiseach has said he believes a practical, commonsense approach is required to finalise agreement. He said, "I have pointed out to [the] British prime minister this idea of dividing lines across the seas and saying, 'this is our fish and that's your fish' – I mean, the seas don't operate like that." We are aware that many fish spawn in Irish waters and are caught at their most valuable stage after migrating north to UK waters. The Taoiseach is of the view that Britain and Ireland share those fish stocks and that we have to be sensible about it. I certainly agree with that position.

There is also concern over small businesses' level of preparedness for Brexit and the flood of new customs declarations required for shipping goods to, from and through Britain.Even with a benign Brexit, there will be very significant change in the level of bureaucracy and businesses have to try their best to prepare for that. It is important in these final weeks that we get that message out there and help businesses as best we can, each of us, in our communities. However, I fear there is a level of complacency that things will simply be all right on the night. This is, in part, because we have had many previous deadlines and cliff edges, where in the end nothing happened. This time, however, it is a different story. We will really see significant changes coming into effect from 1 January, even though we are hoping for some flexibility at the borders for the initial weeks. There will be no more delays this time and the road has to end somewhere.

Things will become very real if no deal is reached. We see the recent stories of potential sausage wars and not having enough potatoes to supply the chippers in Ireland. These are the things that exercise people because they impact on their daily lives. Is there a product on the shelves today that will not be there in the middle of January? Will it affect supply chains? Will businesses be able to trade and get goods in and out of the country? There is an element of waiting to see what might transpire before people fully realise the impact this will have on our country.

Brexit will become a reality and we will deal with it. On a more positive note, as we come through to the other side of Brexit, we will adapt and things will settle to accommodate the new trading environment. We will move on. There are considerable Government supports in place to help ease the burden for businesses, farmers and citizens alike, and we will continually assess how they are working to ensure they remain effective. I would see it as part of the work programme of the new Seanad Brexit committee that we look, post 1 January, at the supports that are in place to assess whether they are working and fit for purpose, and whether we are, as best we can, supporting our businesses and citizens through this difficult phase.

As a committee, we will also look at alliance building. We will look to reach out further to the US, to the Scottish Parliament, to Northern Ireland and, of course, to other EU member states. Most importantly, we will look at what kind of structures we will put in place to maintain that very important relationship with the UK. I also think it is positive to look at how we have worked together as an Oireachtas on the issue of Brexit. While there may be times when we challenge one another on how best to do something, the overarching purpose across the board was and is to do all we can to protect Ireland and her interests.

We must now look to a post-Brexit future and immediately go about putting a new structure in place to maintain our close and special relationship with the UK. Away from the EU institutions and mechanisms that we have come to rely upon, we will need to put in place a new structure for engagement and co-operation between our two Governments. We should view this as an exciting new chapter in what has been a long, varied and sometimes testing story between our two countries.

I look forward to working with the Minister and the rest of the Government to ensure we get this legislation through the House and that, as the Seanad Brexit committee meets tomorrow with the Minister, we look forward to doing our work in the Upper House to ensure we do our best to protect our citizens, businesses and farmers.