I wish to discuss Brexit first and foremost. We have learned that the UK is putting formal proposals to the negotiators in Europe which are along the lines of the leaks we have heard in recent days, including ten customs posts on each side of the Border and that the North would leave the area by 2025. This House needs to send a clear signal that this proposal is completely unacceptable and a non-runner. We have already got indications that it is not legally operable. I believe some EU capitals have been briefed on this plan, but I know Dublin has not been briefed. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, has said he has not received any formal briefing from the UK Government, which is of concern. I am sure the Tánaiste and everybody from these Houses will tell the UK that this is completely unacceptable.

Irish citizens living in the North of Ireland will not be protected by this proposal. Issues of identity which have been largely settled over the past 20 years will be thrown open once more. The Tories never really understood that the issues surrounding the Border and the Good Friday Agreement related to more than trade and also covered identity. They are crucial to the health, safety and well-being of all people on this island. I want to send a clear signal from this side of the House - I am sure it will be reiterated across the House - that the backstop is not open for negotiation.

I also refer to the lack of Irish Water connections. A considerable amount of construction is going on in my area in north County Dublin and in other areas. The Government has repeated the mantra that it is delivering housing. However, it is not delivering water connection to houses. I have spoken to builders on various housing estates in north County Dublin. They have told me they have been waiting seven, eight or nine months for a connection to houses that are already built and lying idle. Last week a man told me he has been waiting 18 months since he first put in a request for a connection into an estate.

This is causing great levels of stress for people. They are waiting for their newly-built house for which they have sacrificed so much. They have given notice to quit in accommodation they are renting or they are living in overcrowded accommodation with family members and hoping their houses will be completed. Water connection is needed alongside the delivery of housing. It is the nuts and bolts of delivery of housing and this needs to be addressed.

I ask for indulgence to allow me to mention the 7,300 people who have been on the waiting list for home help hours, a figure that has risen in recent weeks. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, has said he is ashamed and embarrassed about it, as he should be because it is completely outrageous. I am sure that many other Fine Gael Senators, Deputies and Ministers are ashamed and embarrassed about this Government's delivery for the most vulnerable people in society. It is no wonder they are leaving election tickets in droves because of the Government's track record.

The Senator might like to look to her own party.

We are fighting to get on a ticket. Fine Gael people are all leaving. They cannot get enough people to run for Fine Gael.

I call the Senator for the diaspora, Senator Lawless.

We have great competition to get on our ticket.

There is no competition-----

Nobody is getting off the pitch where we are.

There is no by-election inside here.

Deputy Darragh O'Brien is working hard for her.

There actually is a by-election.

Without interruption, I call Senator Lawless.

It is good that the Senator is here.

Is it okay if I start?

Yes, if the Leader allows.

As we know these are trying times for our nation and our island. In 28 days' time there is the real prospect that the peace we have all grown accustomed to which took decades or, depending on one's interpretation of history, centuries to resolve could be seriously jeopardised through the event of a no-deal Brexit. The closer we get to yet another EU summit on 17 October, the greater the insecurity our fellow Irishmen and women of every religion and none shall feel north of the Border.

Within the borders of this State, we have rightly spent considerable time focusing on the impact a no-deal Brexit would have on our agrifood sector and the security risks on our island, but not enough on the citizens of Northern Ireland. Thanks to the Good Friday Agreement, every citizen of Northern Ireland can be a citizen of this State and therefore a citizen of the European Union irrespective of what happens in the coming weeks.

However, there is an inevitable social consequence to Northern Ireland being torn away from the European Union against its people's will. Even in the best-case scenario of an orderly Brexit deal, that consequence may only be sensory in that a drive from Dublin to Belfast will become a journey to exit the European Union and yet its citizens remain protected.

Of course, in the current Boris-deal scenario we would have customs checks to navigate on either side of the Border, something that thankfully the Irish Government has roundly rejected. I anticipate the European Union also doing so. No matter what happens, there is a strong likelihood that our two communities, North and South, may drift even further apart. Against this backdrop, an open hand to our friends in the North and overseas, through giving them a say into who is Head of this State and represents this nation, could serve to restore some of those social ties that will be lost through Northern Ireland's departure from the European Union.

I hope and, dare I say, I pray our leaders and the leaders of the European Union continue to act as a bulwark against the jingoistic nationalism and contempt for the rule of law we see from the British Government. While I have faith our people will be defended by their leaders in this State and the European Union, it will be up to us to defend our nation and our Northern citizens to ensure they remain part of our Irish community in word and deed. This requires our Northern friends to have a real say on how we move forward as the broad shouldered global community that modern Ireland represents. I hope these ideals will not be forgotten when we finally have the referendum to allow all Irish people the opportunity to vote in presidential elections.

Often we stand in the Chamber and make political charges against each other. We spark off each other and this is the way of political theatre. In light of what the British Government is apparently proposing as a solution to its Brexit problem, the Houses of the Oireachtas must stand firm as a collective. It is deeply upsetting to everybody in Ireland to witness what is happening in the United Kingdom. One can only use words that Boris Johnson has used and describe the proposal as complete humbug. Twenty years ago, the British Government signed a sacred peace agreement after 30 years of violence and more than 3,000 deaths. All of us, Irish, British, Northern Irish, unionist and nationalist, said we would never again return to a scenario that would lead to violence. Less than 20 years later, the British Government has thrown that agreement in the fire and considers English nationalism to be much more important and that a small cabal in the British Tory Party had to be placated. The lack of knowledge among the British commentariat, public and political system and, particularly, the Tory party about the sensitivities of this island and what happened here is quite astonishing. Within all of this, for Boris Johnson to use words of war in his common discourse is deeply offensive. He has used phrases and words such as dying in a ditch, surrender and traitors. It is deeply offensive given what has happened in this country. On behalf of the Labour Party and, I am quite sure, other parties in the Chamber I say we stand firmly behind the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in their absolute rejection of the proposals coming from the British Government. These proposals are coming from an entity that has no interest in a deal. While we spend a huge number of hours disagreeing in this Chamber, on this day of days, as we head towards 31 October and the British Prime Minister addresses his party conference, we must call out this nonsense for what it is. It is a result of narrow-minded xenophobic English nationalism and the Oireachtas will not accept it. It will stand up for the Good Friday Agreement and peace and prosperity on this island and throughout Europe.

I thank Senators Ó Ríordáin, Clifford-Lee and others for their support for the Government on Brexit and what we are collectively trying to achieve in terms of the future of the country. This is a critical period in our nation's history. I salute the efforts of our leadership and their backroom civil servants and advisers. I hope we will be able to navigate through this successfully.

We are led to believe by Met Éireann that tomorrow, we will have Storm Lorenzo. At present, it is a hurricane but by the time it reaches us it will have been downgraded to storm status. I remember standing up in the Chamber in 2014 after Lahinch and the entire coast of County Clare had been battered by the January storms and sea conditions. I am happy to report to the House that since then, in my area of Lahinch there has been coastal investment of €10 million on rock armoury and other works. The big test will be tomorrow evening when we see how effective the coastal work has been. Will the Leader facilitate a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works on coastal protection? It would be very timely, given what we will experience tomorrow. I do not believe we are investing sufficiently in coastal protection. We need to spend billions and have a multi-annual plan over the next ten years, comprising €1 billion per year, to try to protect all of our coastal communities, tourist destinations, fishing villages, people farming on the coastline and coastal infrastructure from the rough elements of the sea. While the sea brings much enjoyment to thousands of people in many parts of the country throughout the year, there are times when its ferocity and anger can have a devastating effect. As an island nation, the only way we can protect from this is by investing in coastal protection. We need the solidarity of our European colleagues to come up with the resources needed. What we are spending at present is minuscule compared to what should be spent. This is extremely important. Coming from a fishing village, the Cathaoirleach knows the absolute importance of effective and proper coastal protection. We are living in a different world now and we need this investment. I hope the Leader will facilitate such a debate in early course.

The Senator neglected to thank Deputies Carey and Breen for their work.

I assure the Cathaoirleach I did more than the two of them put together.

Well done, Senator Conway.