Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree entirely. I welcome Mr. Lidington and his staff to Ireland. Ceád míle fáilte. It is great to have them here and to meet another Minister with responsibility for European affairs. I agree completely with his assessment of the situation. The bilateral arrangement between Britain and Ireland has been advanced and enhanced by the arrangement in Northern Ireland and the peace settlement negotiated between the British and Irish Governments and others. The financial support from the UK during the difficult period is very much appreciated. It was a good investment because Ireland is Britain's fifth largest customer. There is not a house in Ireland that does not use British products daily. Our export trade with the UK is also very significant and is much appreciated. I speak as a former Minister with responsibility for trade. When Ireland was negotiating the Single European Act, we never had a disagreement with the British representative, the Minister for Trade at the time. I presume this has been the experience of Mr. Lidington with regard to the Irish Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is a healthy relationship.

We are concerned about the uncertainty caused by the proposals. We understand it is a political decision. We have held many referendums. We had to have a repeat referendum on many occasions in order to get a decision on the Lisbon treaty and other treaties. It is a difficult matter. I believe there is pressure on the British Government to hold a referendum prior to the European elections in 2014, in particular, since the by-election defeat in England and the strength of the other parties. These are matters of great concern.

We must bear in mind the benefits to Britain of being in the European Union which is a market of 500 million customers. Surely ordinary people will realise the benefits of staying within and being part of the European Union. One gets the impression sometimes that Britain, somehow, is not connected to the Commission and its Commissioner. We have an excellent Commissioner in Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. She visited the Seanad yesterday and gave an outline of her vision and views. We are more committed and connected to Europe than some people in Britain but that is a matter for the British Government. We have to plan for the future to ensure that whatever decision is made, Ireland will stay within the European Union. We will negotiate a relationship with Britain if it decides to leave. We have to get on with business but in the meantime, we have to be pragmatic. We will appeal to our friends, supporters and family members in the United Kingdom to vote against leaving the European Union. Those are issues for another day. Today is a day to welcome Mr. Lidington and his team and to have an exchange of views. I hope we can make a reciprocal visit to Mr. Lidington's committee in London in the near future.