Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Commissioner. I wish him continued success in his role and thank him for coming to the meeting. I also welcome Ms Nolan and Mr. Keary.

Given that the UK is our major training partner and we have many ties of kinship and a very particular and special relationship with it, the prospect of it exiting from the EU is of enormous significance to us. In that context, it would be good to hear a clear indication from the Commissioner that the Commission will bend over backwards and do everything possible to accommodate and work with the UK into the future and ensure it remains within the EU.

I do not have to tell the Commissioner what an important input it has at EU level and what a central part of it it is, apart from the domestic Irish interest. In that context, lessening bureaucracy, which seems to be one of the UK's demands, should not frighten any of us, and a strong role for a domestic parliament within a European context should not either. There are contentious issues around migration, but they could be dealt with. I am anxious to hear from the Commissioner that every effort will be made in that sphere.

My second point concerns TTIP. I am anxious, given the electorate in my constituency and the overall interests of our country, to get a clear indication from the Commissioner that the security of food supply within Europe would remain a top priority despite TTIP and that current veterinary and food standard would be in no way compromised by TTIP. Both issues involve vital Irish interests and there are many downstream jobs for agriculture. I ask for assurances in that area.