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

I welcome the Minister and the members of the delegation. I acknowledge the large and important connections between our two countries. I have three questions. Does Mr. Lidington believe that pushing out a referendum possibly to 2017, if the Conservative Party is returned to power in 2015, leads to uncertainty which is not good for the UK economy and the European economy as a whole? He mentioned the disconnection with Europe. Is the role played by Members of the European Parliament visible within British society? Are they seen as being somewhat removed? Does Mr. Lidington think that immigration will play too significant a role in any referendum that would be planned, particularly when there is a sluggish economy and, as I saw on an item on Sky News yesterday, British tradesmen have stated that the reason they voted UKIP was that they felt immigrants were able to undercut them in terms of securing jobs? Does he believe that, unfortunately, immigration will play too significant a role in any future referendum?