The announcement yesterday of agreement by the European Commission and the British Government on the protocol is very welcome. It marks the end of negotiations to resolve trading practicalities. We always said that a workable and durable solution existed if both parties engaged in good faith and the necessary political will was demonstrated. The protocol represents hard-won protections for Ireland against the sharpest edge of the Tory Brexit. This means guaranteeing no hard border on the island of Ireland, protecting the Good Friday Agreement in its entirety and maintaining the all-island economy and access to the European Single Market. While all parties and sectors are now working through the detail of the agreement, it appears that these vital protections have indeed been preserved. We will, of course, be seeking clarifications on certain aspects of the agreement and I ask the Taoiseach to facilitate at least some of that process with all parties. However, it looks as though a positive outcome has been achieved for all of Ireland - for our people, our peace, our stability and our economic success. We are now at a turning point and that is very good news for business and wider society.
I wish to recognise the unified stance taken by the Oireachtas on Brexit and in defence of the protocol through these very difficult years. Such a unified stance and a shared purpose is again required to see the democratic institutions in the North restored with urgency. We also need to see the resumption of the North-South Ministerial Council. Last May, the people voted in an historic Assembly election. They voted for an Executive of progress, partnership and inclusion. For nine months, however, the Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, has used the pretext of the protocol for its blockade of the Executive and the Assembly. Following yesterday's announcement, there exists no justification, even by its own logic, for the DUP to continue this reckless and damaging boycott of democracy. There is no justification for the DUP to keep the Executive down while workers, families and businesses struggle with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis and as they suffer from chronic treatment waiting lists. The vast majority of people in the North want the parties around the Executive table. They want a government up and working for them, dealing with the issues that affect their lives. The onus now is very much on the DUP to join with everyone else in making politics work. The negotiations are over and we need to see the restoration of the Executive without further delay.
Tá fáilte mhór roimh an gcomhaontú idir an Coimisiún Eorpach agus Rialtas na Breataine ar an bprótacal. Déileálann sé leis an trádáil phraiticiúil. Caithfidh an DUP deireadh a chur lena bhac ar an bhFeidhmeannas anois díreach. Tá Rialtas a bhíonn ag obair ar son na ndaoine tuillte ag muintir an Tuaiscirt.
I am sure the Taoiseach will join with me in welcoming on the floor of the Dáil the agreement struck between the European Commission and the British Government. I am sure he will join with me in welcoming the preservation of the hard-won protections for Ireland contained in the protocol. I am sure that, like me, he is frustrated by the continued absence of government in the North. Will he urge the DUP to end its blockade of the Executive, get back around the ministerial table and join with other parties to deliver a Government for all the people of the North?