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

It is difficult to cover this subject in the two minutes allocated but I will do my best. On the question of eurozone versus non-eurozone countries and the relationship they expect to have in the future, we should be moving towards a situation where all countries within the European Union use the euro. I have always held the view that it is not feasible or sustainable to have that division there. With the passage of time, I am further convinced of it.

In regard to national parliaments versus the EU, we have spoken about this issue on numerous occasions. I have yet to find the person who can tell me how national parliamentary policy, when superimposed on the EU, is going to be accepted by all member states. Each parliament has its own priorities and shopping list. I would love to hear how it is intended to marry the wish lists of national parliaments with the requirements of the European institutions.

I will not refer to competitiveness because I expect it to be covered by colleagues. In regard to the UK and its welfare system, I cannot understand the argument that is being made. If we compare our welfare system with that of the UK, we do not come off all that badly. It is at least as good as the neighbouring system. There may have been a misunderstanding somewhere along the line but I do not think this is to do with welfare. People who converge on the more developed countries within the EU do so for economic reasons which are not beyond explanation. People from this country have done the same and will continue to do so. If freedom of movement is to mean something, then the presumption must be there that people will move freely to achieve a better result economically for themselves.

We all know the consequences of a British exit from the EU. It will not be good for the Union. If some member states come to the conclusion that we will get along fine without the UK, they will be wrong. Brexit would be the beginning of the end, the beginning of the break-up of the EU and the ending of a project we have come to appreciate over 50 years. It will be a very sad and bad day if that happens.