Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Let me pick up on the last points made by Sir Bill Cash, the main theme of whose contribution this afternoon was the central question of the restructuring of the European Union. He commented on democratic accountability and "structural change in the architecture of the EU to return ultimate decision making" to national parliaments. He referred also to the over-domination of one country, an imbalanced Union, the decreasing role of influence, the voting system and institutional arrangements. He spoke about the fundamental change in the relationship and, perhaps, a return to a structure of trade and political co-operation whereby democratic accountability, sovereignty and ultimate decision-making would be returned to Westminster.

In an ideal world, what kind of concrete changes or fundamental restructuring would the witness like to see? He has referred to the integrity of Westminster as the national Parliament and bringing decision-making back, but what changes would he like to see in concrete terms? He might outline one or two.

Sir Bill Cash also referred to the preservation of the national parliament as the centre of concern. Are there any potential negative repercussions of exit? Domestically where people considered there were negative economic consequences, could there be a backlash? Finally, I pick up on something the Chairman was saying on the personal and political relationships between Ireland and Britain. Aside from trading relationships, how does the witness see any exit affecting relations? Specifcally, how would he propose to deal with North-South arrangements here and in the North of Ireland?