Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. As a Member of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union I have heard at first hand the issues that businesses, communities and individuals have already faced since the UK took it upon itself to leave the EU. The fall-out from the withdrawal is still being felt on a day-to-day basis throughout the island as days and weeks are added to the delivery of parts and ingredients from many industries and services here. I had the experience of a three-week delay for a car part. I was told that continuing delays for such associated parts is due to the withdrawal of the UK. Against this backdrop, it would seem the UK Government wants to engage in a full trade war by potentially triggering Article 16. It seems to want to threaten the very hard-earned peace on this island, as well as using the protocol to change the demands, agreements and confidences it has entered into, as has been said by other Members.

The committee met Vice-President Šefovi on Monday. I am sure like other Members of the House and everybody else listening in, I was very encouraged by the obvious change in language from the Commissioner and the upbeat nature of his contribution. The Commissioner told the committee that all issues under discussion could be solved and that the EU legislative proposal is ready. He stated he could put it on the table this week but that he wanted to do so in a joint approach with the UK. The worry for us all is that the Commissioner went on to say that sometimes he has the feeling that when we come up with a solution to one problem, other problems are put on the table.

At the heart of all of this debate of course must be the EU's continued support for Ireland and our part in the Union. Once again, it was heartening that on Monday we were informed by the Commissioner that the most important currency in dealing with the UK is the unity of the EU. He stated he was very glad he had unwavering EU support for a constructive approach. I am sure it was also encouraging for the Minister to hear the Commissioner state the EU is preparing for all scenarios and that whatever the outcome, the EU will be ready. The Commissioner stated that despite the sometimes very tense atmosphere, he continues to engage, that his A, B, C and D scenarios would be positive and he hoped this attitude will also prevail in London.

In the committee's discussion with business owners in Northern Ireland, they outlined their support for the current proposals and their defence of the existing arrangements. It was also encouraging to hear the Commissioner state this was also his experience of speaking to businesses in the North and that he wanted to work with the UK on amplifying these opportunities and to reduce the problems Brexit has brought to Northern Ireland. The Commissioner encouraged all Irish politicians to continue to reach out to colleagues in the EU. It is very important to put on the record my thanks and, I am sure, the collective thanks for the Minister's efforts on such an important issue for this country. It is important in such debates to thank politicians from all sides in the United States, including President Biden, for their continued support of the protocol and what it means to this country.

I welcome the support of the British Labour Party on this very important matter. The shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Louise Haigh, MP, made comments during a recent speech in Belfast and she repeated them at the Labour Party conference in Dublin at the weekend. Ms Haigh said invoking Article 16 would not end the dispute or uncertainty but would prolong and deepen them. She went on to say the British Labour Party had repeatedly stated it opposes the Government using the mechanism and accused the Conservatives of sowing division and undermining stability in Northern Ireland. She stated, "With tension rising in Northern Ireland and a cost of living crisis across the rest of the UK the last thing that is needed is more poisonously instability and the prospect of a damaging trade dispute with our nearest trading partners." She also stated:

People and businesses are pragmatic - they want solutions, not a stand-off. So the Government must not ventriloquise for people and for communities who they have shown little understanding of.

There can be no doubt this is crucial for the future of the island from an economic and social point of view. There can be no diminishing of the protocol. It must receive the unconditional support of the EU, as outlined by the Commissioner on Monday. As the Minister recently said, our job is to be positive and optimistic and to try to create windows of opportunity when they are there. Clearly there is one there now. I wish the Minister well in all of his endeavours. He will have the full support of the Labour Party in that.