Brexit backstop and interruptions
Pearse Doherty challenged the Taoiseach over the backstop being subsumed into wider Brexit negotiations and the risk to the cast-iron guarantee against a hard border. The Taoiseach said he would answer on European affairs at Question Time, after which the exchange collapsed into repeated interruptions from the Chair and Deputy Doherty.
The news yesterday that the Taoiseach was prepared to allow the negotiations on the backstop arrangement to be subsumed into the wider Brexit negotiations is troubling. Last December, he told us that the backstop was a cast-iron guarantee. He told us that in the event of no deal there would be no hard border. He told us it was a sure thing, but the details were never worked out because, as we know, the British Government dithered and dithered. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that the Government in Britain is in disarray following the resignation this morning of a senior Minister on foot of the outworkings of the Brexit negotiations there.
Does the Taoiseach believe that the backstop arrangement was not part of the overall negotiations, that it was a separate legal agreement? The Government told us it would be separate from the overall arrangements. Does he still believe that we need certainty regarding the backstop arrangement, that that certainty must come at the European Council meeting in June and that, without it, progress will not have been made?
Comment on this
It is not covered in the programme for Government and there is no legislation promised in respect of it. However, 16 questions relating to European affairs are due to be dealt with during Question Time so I am sure I will be answering the Deputy's query then.
Comment on this
Other questions have been raised. It has become a trend-----
Comment on this
Other questions have been raised. This is unfair.
Comment on this
I would like to make this point-----
Comment on this
I would like to make the point that this is deeply unfair.
Comment on this
It is an important issue and the Taoiseach could have answered the question.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach could have answered the question.
Comment on this
It is disgraceful. There are many questions.