The uncertainty generated by Brexit last Friday poses urgent and immediate challenges for the Republic of Ireland. Sinn Féin wants Europe to be socially, democratically and environmentally friendly and one that promotes-----

The Senator will have another opportunity to discuss the matter later.

I know but it is important that I set out a couple of points. Is that all right, a Leas-Chathaoirligh?

I am not so sure. The Senator can make her points early in the debate.

We are discussing the Order of Business.

Yes. The item has been ordered to follow.

Yes, I understand. Is the Leas-Chathaoirleach excluding Sinn Féin from mentioning Brexit?

I am not excluding Sinn Féin.

Absolutely not.

We are discussing the Order of Business.

Order, please. The Chair will rule but I shall allow a little latitude.

Does the Chair have to rule in accordance with Brexit?

The Chair will take nothing from anyone now. I shall determine what happens next.

This country is only a few years in the EU.

Sorry, I shall allow the Senator a slight latitude because she is the leader of her group.

I shall keep my comments very short.

I would like other Senators to respect my decision.

Okay.

I thank the Senator.

I will keep it very short; I have just a few points. A better European Union, which promotes and serves the sovereign and democratic needs of its member states of 500 million citizens, can only be achieved by campaigning for change and reform from within the EU institutions. Brexit presents us with the potential loss of investment, negative implications for border controls and common travel and the prospect of less protection for workers' and other rights. A British state withdrawal from the EU represents a major setback for the political process in the North of Ireland and relationships between the two islands. Brexit also poses a direct challenge to the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement and internationally binding treaties and undermines all-Ireland co-operation. In broader terms, the financial losses of EU investment, subsidies and funds to the North of Ireland and the southern Border counties arising from the British withdrawal is in the region of £2.5 billion. There are negative repercussions for foreign direct investment and the development of the North's export capacity in regard to access to EU and global markets and that is why there is now an immediate imperative for the Government to open negotiations with Britain over the constitutional future of the North of Ireland.

I want to add another point, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, if I may, not regarding Brexit but regarding the report this morning that many young people with disabilities who sat their leaving certificate did not have the environment they needed in order to be able to participate fully in that examination. That is absolutely disgraceful. Will the Minister responsible come to the House to reassure us that it will never happen again to those with a disability who have overcome very many challenges to get to sit their leaving certificate in the first instance?