Gerald Nash (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Bertie Ahern for sharing the wisdom of his considerable experience on European matters. He has recounted that experience for us with great clarity. With his experience at the negotiating table at EU level, what does he think the EU could have done differently to accommodate the concerns articulated by the British people in the Brexit referendum? How does he believe the EU should change to prevent losing member states in the future? Does he think that is a real prospect? Does he feel there is potential post-Brexit for other EU member states to take a similar approach? That would be a concern for us all if that is the case.

Mr. Ahern, along with other Members, has some experience of having reruns of referenda when the point may need to be clarified again, such as with the Nice and Lisbon treaties. We have some experience in this country of providing a second opportunity when points of issue have had the opportunity to be clarified. If, and when, a deal is struck between the British Government and the European Union, and if that deal is extremely far removed from the expectation of the 52% of British people who voted for Brexit, does Mr. Bertie Ahern believe there is some merit in having a second referendum and putting that question to the British people again?

Given that it is likely that whatever outcome emerges from this process and that there may well be treaty changes to accommodate the new relationship, then would it not be the case that any new deal would be required to be put to the Irish people under our Constitution?