Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were interesting comments all around. In regard to protocols, the people who drew them up in the first place did not intend to make it easy to either exit from or opt into them. Opting out after opting in is obviously a very complicated process. The area of policing and criminal law is hugely complicated and it could waste a considerable amount of European time.

A new European structure will emerge in the event of an exit. It could change irrevocably the entire European architecture, based as it is on provisions made in the past, the expectations at the foundation of the European Union and, in particular, the expectations of the founding fathers of the European Union. It would virtually impossible to reconstruct Europe if one country were to opt out, possibly followed by other countries.

Several members referred to the existence of euroscepticism. The committee is examining that issue separately to understand the real reasons for it, and not simply the reasons that happen to be convenient at any particular time. It remains to be seen how that issue can be addressed but, like other issues, it will have huge implications for the European Union.

Taking into account the protocols and the issue of policing and criminal law, the creation of a new border in the event of the UK opting out will have serious implications for trade and travel. It has been suggested that Ireland could also opt out. I shudder to think of some of the ideas that have been put forward as reasonable. They are not reasonable. Sadly, this debate is taking place against the backdrop of a serious economic downturn across Europe. The discussions that take place in that sort of environment are not necessarily the best in terms of long-term planning. Europe has a tragic history in that regard and all of us should do what we can to avoid reaping that whirlwind.