I join in the tributes to the late, great Brendan Grace, who was one of the greatest comedians Ireland has ever produced. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Eileen, and his four children on the loss of this marvellous man. I saw his concerts and was there in 1989 when he met Frank Sinatra in the Horse Show House in Ballsbridge. It was a most memorable occasion to meet the great Frank Sinatra. I remember the jokes so well, and Brendan said it was one of the most expensive gigs in his life with the $20,000 he paid to Mr. Sinatra. Frank was enthralled. Then they sang "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". It was a memorable occasion. Brendan also had a great career in the United States of America.

I also send my deepest sympathy on the death of our old friend, Noel Whelan, senior counsel, to his wife, Sinéad, and his young son, Séamus. Noel was one of the founders of the Kennedy Summer School, a columnist with The Irish Times, and a very intelligent man. Over the years Noel was very involved with Fianna Fáil and was a candidate in a general election. He was also a great pundit.

With the summer recess coming up it is an opportunity for the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to intensify contacts in Europe over the summer with regard to the future and to Brexit, and at the earliest opportunity to meet the incoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Boris Johnson, to ensure we have a strong relationship with him. It is very important that we build up a very close liaison with our nearest neighbour, which is one of our biggest customers. They are our customers but we in turn-----

Does the Senator know the result already?

I am pretty good at predicting that, but I could be surprised. I do not feel that Ireland has been well served by the negotiators from the European Union. I believe that we have been served appallingly in this whole effort. The backstop will not be relevant if there is no agreement, so let us bear that in mind.

There are possible alternatives but have they been pursued? Have they pursued the possibility of a special economic zone between the United Kingdom and Ireland in terms of the Anglo-Irish trade agreement of the 1960s, which was taken over by the free trade agreement of the European Union? There are alternatives. The Republic of Ireland has only 1% of the population of Europe. We should have special consideration because of our unique historical and personal links with the United Kingdom. It is time to review the situation and see if there is any possibility that we will have a stronger relationship through a joint UK and Irish special economic zone within the European Union. It is possible. There are zones within the European Union. I do not believe it was pursued by the Government or that it has looked at alternatives. The Government has been too influenced by the overall negotiators in Brussels.

The Government should review the situation over the summer and see if it can come up with some other choice. If the UK leaves without an agreement, it will be importing cheap beef from Argentina and Brazil without any restrictions whatsoever. That will be an opportunity for those who will bring the meat through Northern Ireland and into the Republic, damaging the most important farming industry in this country. I appreciate the Leas-Chathaoirleach's leniency this morning. I make this appeal sincerely to the Government. It must review and think again.

I join with colleagues in expressing my sympathy to the families of Brendan Grace and Noel Whelan. Noel Whelan contacted me and asked to meet me two days after I was elected to this House in 2014. He met me downtown and spent two hours with me, advising me and expressing his wishes and desires for how the Seanad would develop over the coming years. I thought it was a most generous act. I had never met the man before in my life although I met him several times afterwards. He was at the forefront of so many changes in society and he will be dearly missed. The summer around Ireland will not be the same without Brendan Grace. That has to be said.

This weekend we have commemoration ceremonies at Islandbridge on Saturday and at Collins Barracks on Sunday. The Islandbridge affair this year will be attended by a fairly large contingent from the former Ulster Defence Regiment, UDR. There are many different interpretations as to the history of the UDR. I had the privilege some weeks ago of addressing a gathering of the UDR. The topic I chose was collusion. I spoke openly about collusion during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and about the atrocities that were committed. I also spoke about the decent men and women who were members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, who got out of their houses in the evening and patrolled Northern Ireland, who guarded vital installations and made sure that terrorist movements around Northern Ireland were disrupted. That is not for one moment excusing the fact that terrorists were also involved in that organisation. However, there were decent men and women there who did what they thought was right. The interesting thing about the UDR establishment is the number of Catholics who were involved in the early days. They were run out of it, not by Protestants but by Catholics. I am delighted that some of them will attend Islandbridge this year. It is a great step forward.

I refer to the constant calls we are getting for a Border poll. People in Northern Ireland know the direction this country is moving in. They do not need to be goaded or constantly threatened. I was asked recently by a group of unionists in Northern Ireland if it was true that we would put them in concentration camps when the unification takes place. I was appalled to be asked that question but it is actually a belief that is held among some. I must compliment the Government on taking a softly, softly approach in the entire area of Northern Ireland and I ask for this to continue. Instead of talking about Border polls, we should start trying to find a way to get the communities to work together in Northern Ireland.

I also wish to be associated with the messages of condolence to the Whelan family. I met Noel Whelan on numerous occasions. He certainly had his finger on the political pulse. He was very astute and was a great commentator. At election time, we really looked forward to his interpretation of what exactly was going to happen. We give our sympathies to his family and also to the family of Brendan Grace.

Senator Leyden outlined negotiations in terms of Ireland and the UK. The negotiations are not between Ireland and the UK. We are the EU. Ireland is part of the 27 countries. The EU is not negotiating on our behalf; we are part of it and it has showed great solidarity with us.

A backstop with a time limit is not a backstop. People talk about technological solutions but there is nowhere in the world where those solutions have proved successful. Six weeks ago our committee for the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly went to Crossmaglen PSNI station looking at illicit trading across the Border. We stopped in Newry and were transferred by eight armoured cars for the 16 miles to Crossmaglen as is normal for bringing PSNI men to Crossmaglen. There were two cameras at the PSNI station. All the other cameras in south Armagh for checking vehicle registration plates have been cut down. This is not a normal area. The British Government and the diplomats know that it is not Hereford or Watford. This is south Armagh in Northern Ireland. We saw it ourselves when we were going in the gate. The gate was rammed the night before. We asked them what they do and they said they do nothing. Anybody who thinks there can be a border on the island of Ireland is missing the fact that we are in a highly dangerous situation. We are part of the EU 27 and they have been loyal to us and have showed us massive solidarity.

There is a problem and it is the Conservative Party. This is about uniting the Conservative Party and it is not about anything else. As President Higgins said, I hope they get over their little tantrum in the next while, but we must look at what is happening. The diplomat, Kim Darroch, had to step down because he criticised Donald Trump. That is his job. That is what diplomats do. They look at what happens in different countries and do a report. This is a sad day for democracy and for relations between the UK and the United States. That is why we have to ensure that we stick with the European Union. It has not let us down.

I have a comment for Senator Craughwell. On my wedding night, in my wedding car with my new husband, the UDR took me out at gunpoint and went through every single present from my wedding day. The nationalist population, or whatever term the Senator wants to use, finds that the name of the UDR sticks in the craw. However, I commend the Senator and wish him the best of luck. We need to heal, not to forget.

I send condolences to the family and friends of Noel Whelan and wish them comfort and solace on their loss. It will take time, as grief does.

My union, the Psychiatric Nurses Association, PNA, has never reneged on the industrial action that started five months ago. It does not believe that the promises made by the Minister, Deputy Harris, or the HSE will come to fruition in a way that has any depth or meaning for recruitment and retention.

I salute my colleagues on their work to rule and overtime ban today and for continuing their industrial action.

A Sinn Féin councillor in Waterford has found out that the autism spectrum disorder waiting list in Waterford is going to be amalgamated into a regional list including Carlow, Kilkenny, south Tipperary and Wexford. Children in Waterford are waiting 12 months to see a psychologist but the wait in Wexford is five and a half years. It seems that when one area is doing well, the rug is pulled from under it by including it in an area that is neglected and not doing so well. They are short by 15 psychologists despite the 120 who were recently recruited. I ask the Leader to talk to the Minister of State with responsibility in this area, Deputy Jim Daly, and persuade him that the amalgamation should not take place until the personnel are in situ and ready to go, as otherwise it will be to the detriment of children with autism.

I express my sympathies to the families of Noel Whelan and Brendan Grace. I did not know Noel Whelan but I was a huge admirer of his. He was a fantastic commentator and he will be a huge loss to Ireland. He was too young. I knew Brendan Grace well and travelled on tour with him many years ago in Australia. He was a pure gentleman and will also be a huge loss to Ireland.

The briefing held by Senator Lawless and Votes for Irish Citizens Abroad, VICA, yesterday was fantastic and I was very heartened to see such a packed room, with representatives in the audience from every political party. It is to be hoped the referendum will take place in November and it is a very important step to take for the Presidency. It is important that we all work together in this House on a cross-party basis to get it passed. I will be campaigning strongly for a yes vote in November. The campaign also had a public launch last night at the Irish Emigration Museum, which was a very fitting venue. Citizens and residents from inside and outside the State spoke passionately about how important this change is. It would mean a huge amount to Irish citizens in the North and those living abroad. I have two brothers who live in the US and they will be delighted. Their citizenship is as important as anybody else's and they would value the chance to elect our President. The Presidency is an important symbolic role, a Head of State who speaks on behalf of Irish people everywhere, and we have a fantastic President at the moment. It would be an inclusive and positive step to recognise that the President represents all Irish people so I urge anyone with an interest in the issue to reach out to VICA and the other groups for more information. We are an outlier on this issue because we are one of only four EU member states to disenfranchise its citizens abroad. We have an opportunity to rectify that in November and I call on all parties to work together for a yes vote.