Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted that the Commissioner had the opportunity to come here. A number of speakers have already touched on the issue of Brexit. I was disappointed to hear the Commissioner say that there should be no bilateral negotiations between Ireland and the United Kingdom. I say that because at the time of the economic crisis in Ireland, David Cameron, the then Prime Minister of Britain said in a speech that the UK trades more with the Republic of Ireland than with China, Russia, India and Brazil together. That shows the strong level of trade between our two nations. Also, 90% of our exports to Europe go through the UK. As a result of the fact that Ireland will be worst affected by Brexit we should engage in bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom. Ireland is a small nation in Europe and it could be left behind. Perhaps the Commissioner would elaborate on why Ireland should not seek to put in place bilateral agreements with the UK. Ireland is the only country that will share a border with the UK when it leaves Europe.

The EU as a whole must change its attitude towards European citizens. As the Commissioner said, the extreme right movement is on the rise in the major European countries. In that regard, it will be interesting to see the results of the elections in Germany and France.

We read constantly about how Greece is finding it difficult to adhere to the bailout programme. What are the challenges for the EU if Greece reneges? What are the views of the European Commission on the ban President Trump is imposing on people from seven Muslim countries?