Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It was a very significant speech by the Prime Minister, during which he set out a strong case for the importance of the UK's continued and active membership of the European Union, which is very welcome. Obviously we will need some time to study the speech in all its detail and assess its full implications. I do not think it is a speech to which we should give an immediate, knee-jerk reaction.

Britain's relationship with the European Union poses significant strategic questions for the European Union itself as well as for Britain. It also poses significant strategic questions for us as a country. It is important, at the very outset, to make it clear that Ireland's position in, and relationship with, the European Union is not in question. At the same time, we have a very special relationship with Britain. We became members of the European Union at the same time. It is 40 years since we both joined the then European Economic Community, EEC, and we have travelled that road very much together. Irrespective of where this debate goes in Britain, it is important to recognise that Ireland's relationship with Britain will remain strong. It is very much the case that Ireland, in any event, will remain at the heart of the European Union but will also remain close to Britain.

The Prime Minister set out a roadmap and timetable whereby, after the next general election, if the current Government is re-elected, a referendum will be held at some stage during the lifetime of that parliament. Ultimately that is a matter for the British people. Obviously there will be a lot of debate about this but it is important that we are not distracted at this time from what the European Union needs to do. The priority for the European Union at this time is to improve the European economy, create jobs and address the issues that are particularly urgent in Europe, including the issue of youth unemployment.

Whether a young person is living in Glasgow, Genoa or Galway, if he is out of work his priority is to get a job. That is what the European Union needs to be focused on and this is why the Irish Presidency has made such priorities of stability, jobs, growth, completing the decisions that were already made in respect of the banking union, and other matters which are about supporting and strengthening the European economy.