Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and his team. I have debated in my own head as to whether Turkey should reside within the EU or elsewhere. It is very much a pivotal country and plays a very important role in the world because of its geographical positioning. Therefore, from our selfish viewpoint in the EU, it is much better to have it with us rather than against us or even in an ambiguous place. In that sense a movement in the direction of membership would be very worthwhile. I will not go through the issues others have raised, some of which I share. Clearly there are cultural differences, but there are also cultural similarities.

I wish to record my appreciation of some of the work Turkey has done on the Syrian civil war. I appreciate Turkey is in a very difficult position there and it has worked with great sensitivity on the issue so as not to get involved directly while at the same time helping those who needed help at its border.

One of the possible concerns about Turkey being part of the EU is that it would bring us directly in touch with areas of the world where there is very considerable trouble. Turkey has borders with Syria, Iraq, Iran and the Caucuses region. If Turkey became a member of the EU, would it have any impact on the politics in those bordering countries? If so, would that impact be positive or negative?