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Ireland is not ready to deal with a no-deal Brexit outcome, Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin has claimed.<\/p>\nIreland is not ready to deal with a no-deal Brexit outcome, Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin has claimed.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said \u201cmayhem\u201d will ensue at Irish ports if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.<\/p>\n
He added that in a bid to ensure political stability in Ireland, Fianna F\u00e1il would continue to honor its confidence and supply agreement with Fine Gael.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government says it\u2019s ready for no deal. It\u2019s not ready for no deal,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of huffing and puffing, but I am told the ports are not ready. Dublin Port is not ready for a no-deal Brexit, despite what you hear, and presentations and I am told by people who know the port, with experience of the port, that mayhem will ensue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that if a no-deal Brexit is to occur \u2013 it may not \u2013 but if it\u2019s to occur, all hands need to be on deck to make sure that the people are looked after out there, that jobs are looked after, that people\u2019s livelihoods are looked after and protected insofar as we possibly can.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Fianna F\u00e1il leader added that ensuring stability has to be \u201cthe essential prerequisite of any political party in the country\u201d at present.<\/p>\n
The Cork South Central TD said the Conservative leadership race in the UK was \u201cadding to the sense of crisis\u201d and the \u201csense of uncertainty\u201d at present and that in the face of such uncertainty Fianna F\u00e1il intended to continue with the confidence and agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the reasons why we extended confidence and supply was the potential of a no-deal Brexit and the necessity of Ireland to be ready for it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think unfortunately the prospect is as alive today as it was last December when I articulated that viewpoint, and announced the strategy, that we were adopting in terms of putting the country first and taking a constructive, responsible approach to the affairs of the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what we intend to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether if the prospect of a no-deal scenario still looms, whether there were any circumstances under which he might end the confidence and supply agreement, Mr Martin replied: \u201cThe no-deal scenario opens up such potential economic disruption and is uncertain and cannot be foreseen\u2026 that I think it would be irresponsible to provoke a general election in the next number of months and that is our position on that.\u201d<\/p>\n