Mr. Ashley Fox:

I would like to respond to a number of the specific questions raised by the Deputy. Referendums are very good because they ensure political acceptance by the people. Members of the committee may be aware that in the United Kingdom we have passed an Act of parliament that puts us in a similar position to the Republic of Ireland. If a transfer of power from Westminster to Brussels is proposed, there has to be a referendum.

Deputy Crowe asked whether a banking or fiscal union would necessitate a referendum in other countries. One certainly would be required in the United Kingdom if we tried to join such a union, but I assure the committee that we will not try to do so. Yesterday we received information in evidence from senior counsel to the effect that a referendum would more likely than not be required in Ireland. I would be interested to know what the outcome of such a vote in Ireland would be in the absence of relief on the enormous burden it has been left with for bailing out French and German banks. The Deputy has also asked whether the atmosphere in which European affairs are being conducted is conducive to greater political union. It is almost certainly not.

Deputy Keaveney mentioned the rise of Golden Dawn in Greece. My view is that Golden Dawn is becoming more powerful because the people of Greece have realised that it does not matter who they vote for because decisions are being taken in Brussels and Berlin. The trouble is that when people come to the conclusion that it does not make a difference which party they vote for, they tend to the extremes. There is a danger for Ireland in this regard. If it does not matter whether there is a change of Government - if the country is still laden with debt and its economic policies are still decided in Brussels - people will wonder what the point of voting is. That is a problem across the whole of the European Union.

I was asked to outline my view of the political future. I am quite sure France, Germany and others will forge ahead with a political union. I hope Britain remains in the European Union, but I do not want it to be part of any sort of federation. I know my constituents are pleased to be part of a Single Market, but they do not want to be part of a country called Europe. I would be interested to know how the Irish representatives here view that thought. Do they want to cede greater sovereignty to Brussels? Do they look forward to decisions on budgets, taxes, spending and borrowing being made somewhere else? It would be interesting to hear their views.