Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two issues, the first of which is local. The Ballinasloe Says No campaign is up and running and we have a public meeting this evening. All Members are very welcome to join. We have invited Deputies and Senators from the Roscommon and Galway areas. It is a community group fighting for the health, safety and environmental impacts to low-lying floodplains. We are fighting on environmental issues. We have already brought this to the High Court under the habitats directive. It is extremely important to people in the area. We will deal with the issue as well under the county development plan. People have 25 working days to make submissions on the issue to the local authority. I would welcome the support of Members and colleagues on this matter.

I attended the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine yesterday. The Irish Farmers Association, IFA, and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA, attended the first session and the second session was attended by Meat Industry Ireland and the National Dairy Council. They spoke very clearly about the significant impacts of Brexit on farming from a no-trade deal. There will potentially be more than €1.5 billion in tariffs a year.

Before coming to the Chamber, I watched Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Prime Minister's Questions. One would not believe there is going to be this crisis in the coming days. It is shocking. I can only wish the negotiators the best and that they will be able to negotiate a deal, which is so crucial for Ireland and for the UK. We are neighbours and we have a shared history, and it is so important that we will be able to work together in the time ahead and achieve the best deal for people on both islands. That would be very much appreciated. I wish them the best in the coming days.