Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 November 2021

Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Statements

 

10:30 am

Photo of Paul GavanPaul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps they prided themselves on it but perhaps they did so mistakenly. As the Minister will be aware, the British Government has a long history of not being totally honest and of not honouring the words it would have previously agreed to. Brexit was a prime example of a cart before the horse scenario and the then UK Government promised the sun, moon and stars but was unable to even deliver a sunny day. In 2016, the people of Wales and England voted to leave the EU while on the same day the people of Scotland and the North voted to stay. A clear majority of 55.7% in the Six Counties voted to remain in the EU. Why? They did so because they knew their best interests would be served if they were to remain in the Union and remain part of the Single Market. It has been troubling to see threats around Article 16 but it is clear, as a number of Members have mentioned, that business in the North recognises that it is not in its interests for this uncertainty to drag on. It is interesting to see the contrast between that narrative and the narrative of the DUP leadership, for example. The DUP leadership is more and more out of touch with the reality of what business needs to thrive and prosper. We all need to ensure we give civil society voices their say on this issue. If we listen to what they are saying, they are clear that they recognise that the protocol is necessary, that it has to be made to work and that this uncertainty does nobody any good. More importantly, businesses in the Six Counties are saying that there are opportunities in this for them that they need to grasp and work with. It is important that we listen to those voices and rally around them because I am sure that this will be revved up again in a few weeks.

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