Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Vice Chairman. I have been asked some very extensive questions. I will respond to the question asked by the Vice Chairman and Senator Hayden before I come back to Deputy Durkan's question. Ireland and many other European countries would agree with elements of what the British Government has been discussing. We share its frustration with regard to issues such as better regulation, proper completion of the single market for services and the digital single market, the turbo-charging of measures such as the Juncker package, which we are now seeing, and trade agreements. This ties into the question of how we can support Britain's ongoing membership of the EU. We concur with much of what they say. Perhaps we do not feel it is a sustainable method of negotiating national positions.

At the same time, reference was made by Senator Hayden to the fact that we have had a period in which euroscepticism or even Europe in general has been a matter of debate within the United Kingdom. It is interesting to see polling and commentary to the effect that there is still strong public support within the United Kingdom for ongoing membership. It is having a debate unique to the United Kingdom and it is for those people to engage on it. As to the question of how we can influence the debate, I am not sure we can. The Senator was correct in saying we would be more affected if events concluded in a certain manner, but the country that would be affected most is the United Kingdom itself. Such events would have an impact for all the European Union. There would be an impact for Ireland, but there is potential for it to affect everybody. We are still in a very hypothetical position. It is likely that there will be a referendum at some time in the future, but it is far too early to speculate on the question that may be asked and its context. We must be aware of that.

Deputy Durkan mentioned common allies and themes. It is very apparent that within the 28 member states there are different allies, depending on the issue. Quite often we find ourselves on the same side as the UK, but that is not always the case. That serves to indicate the very highly developed relationship we have as a community of 28 member states. We can be most helpful not by engaging in the debate based on a selfish or economic interest; we should point out that Europe is much stronger by virtue of the fact that it has the United Kingdom, which is a big, democratic and powerful country, at the heart of decision-making. That is not just in our national interest but in everybody's interest. The United Kingdom is and always will be in Europe, as it is part of the geographical area of the planet that is Europe. It is vital that it continue to play a very strong and pro-democratic role in engaging in politics across our continent, just as it has throughout modern European history.

If we consider how beneficial the European Union and the Single Market have been for everybody, it is fair to say that any weakening would have the potential to bring some economic cost, either through ourselves, through the United Kingdom or collectively. The common European Union has been of benefit, so one would have to accept that there may be some economic difficulty if an exit came about.

The question of the origin of euroscepticism has been raised. That has largely been based on the economic difficulties experienced across the European Union. The European Union has taken the blame, even in our country, and perhaps unfairly at times. There are parties to the left and right that do not even represent a cohesive group in the European Parliament. The three biggest blocs are pro-European: the European People's Party, the Socialists and Democrats and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. Europe has collectively elected very significant numbers pro-European politicians to the Parliament. It is a debate that will evolve. I am not sure at this point what role any other member state can have in the democratic decision making of another member state. We have had many referendums in our country, and other countries also like to have sovereign decisions. The process in the UK will start in May's general election.

I have been fairly blunt today, as has the Taoiseach and others. There was a question about the level to which other countries are aware of this. At a political level, they are very aware of it. Our view is being solicited. There are 27 member states that would like to keep the European Union united, irrespective of the views they have about the difficulties the UK would have.