Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is much material there for consideration and I am quite sure some of it would be contested as well. The witness indicated she would present the full paper and if time permitted, we could have further discourse on another day and it might be very useful. With regard to Dr. Devine's concluding remarks about the Taoiseach saying we would be on the side of the EU 27, all of us would make that type of comment as Britain will be negotiating with the European Union and we are one of the other 27 member states. I would not have read much into that. If I was discussing the matter with people in my own constituency along the Border, they would be very adamant that they would not be a patsy for the Brits in the negotiations that would be taking place with the European Union. I do not know if I would read as much into that as the witness has with respect to the Taoiseach's comment. That comment is probably made loosely enough by most Members of the Oireachtas or people engaged in the Brexit process.

There are clearly plenty of deficiencies in the governance of Europe and all of us in different political parties would highlight those. The importance of the European Union is very evident if one considers the amount of concern and worries there are throughout the island of Ireland in regard to Britain leaving the European Union and the difficulties facing us. Despite the deficits and weaknesses of the European Union as it is, there are major positives for us as well. Some of us are on other committees that meet practically weekly on the issue of Brexit etc. and we know the concerns and worries that we all have and what faces us post-Brexit.

Dr. Devine mentioned that Denmark might use a veto or have opt-outs but my recollection is that we have those as well. They are in justice and home affairs anyway.