Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Vice President to this country. I had the pleasure of being in Luxembourg a couple of weeks ago at a European Court of Justice hearing. It is a beautiful city. I did not have enough time to spend there but I will return for a visit.

Given Luxembourg’s location it is inextricably linked to France, Germany, Holland and Belgium. This country, which is on the periphery, is linked to the United Kingdom. I questioned the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, last week about the Future of Europe report and how it plays to euroscepticism within the United Kingdom. Some newspaper articles suggest that it will lead to the United Kingdom dissociating itself further from the EU. There are always groups that wish to put the issue to a vote of the people in the United Kingdom and that, accordingly, it would leave the European Union. I accept reports are discussion documents, they are not binding and Luxembourg's Foreign Minister was part of it, but does the Commissioner accept it will have consequences for this country in terms of our relationship with the United Kingdom? Does Ms Reding believe that based on the report and the five points made on the treaty of European political union that it would cause a detachment of the United Kingdom from the European Union?

In the context of the Future of Europe report, the Commissioner referred to a European army and changing the majority required for decisions. That is contrary to this country’s position on neutrality. Concerns were raised in previous referenda, for example, in Lisbon 1, where it was stated the treaty would lead to conscription in this country. Specific reference was made to the issue in protocols prior to Lisbon 2. The Future of Europe report compiled by Foreign Ministers is a discussion document but it leads to concerns in this country on those issues to which I referred and also in terms of our relationship with the United Kingdom. I invite a comment on those points.