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

I welcome our visitors and thank them for their contributions. We value the opportunity to have a one-to-one discussion with our European colleagues. I do not accept the negativity associated with the Brexit negotiations. The Government has long since established the priority relating to the Good Friday Agreement and all that goes with it, such as the necessity of ensuring that no Border will arise during the course of these discussions that was not there before and the need to ensure the continuation of the single market and the customs union on the island of Ireland. I do not accept that we have a weakened position or that any stone has been left unturned. I believe the opposite is the case. Independent commentators have repeatedly stated that the Irish MEPs and the Government, Ministers, ambassadors and the diplomatic corps have been exceptional in the way they have driven Ireland's case in the context of Brexit. That is the first thing we need to establish. People can have their own independent opinions but that is a fact.

I have been a supporter of the European concept since 1973. I have campaigned in favour of every referendum held on Europe and have spoken on public platforms during each campaign so I am committed to the concept of Europe for a reason that is quite simple to everybody. This country has developed beyond belief within the EU. Ireland has become a major player. We have shown what we can do. We can achieve heights we never thought possible. Ireland can now be regarded as a major player on the European scene to such an extent that in the aftermath of the economic crisis we experienced, we have led the field in the context of recovery. Of course, there were huge sacrifices by the Irish people but we proved what we were capable of doing when given the chance.

That is the point relating to the future of Europe as well. Of course, there are changes but we need to be careful not to go down the road of ensuring that every country in the EU will impose its own will on the Union because the bigger the country, the more its will is imposed. We need to bring what we have committed and what is advantageous and complementary to the concept of Europe to the table of discussions in Europe as it is now emerging and will emerge in the future. We have the opportunity to discuss all directives in committees and they have all been discussed in committees from time to time. Each lead Department has a sub-committee that discusses all directives coming from Europe. Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we are not but the point to remember is that it is all very fine for people to blame Europe when it suits them and that is what happens. This is why there is an antipathy towards Europe. It suits some people at national level in all member states to blame the Europeans and say they are the cause of problems. We should remember that it was not the EU that put up the barriers and barbed wire to greet the refugees a year and a half ago. It was a well-known fact that it was individual member states that put the barriers and the razor wire to greet the refugees coming across the borders. We should separate the blanket blame of Europe for an identification of where difficulties arise, what caused them and how we can resolve them.

Ireland is not leaving the EU. It is a fully-paid-up and committed member of the Union and that is what we must establish. It is within the capacity of the British Government to negotiate a situation that allows us to do the things the Taoiseach, various Ministers and Opposition Members have already set out, that is, retain what we have had relating to the all-island trading situation, including the customs union. It is possible for the British Government to agree to that.

That is a matter for it. They are the people who are leaving the Union. It is also possible and a natural progression within the European Union that we will be in a position to trade with the UK afterwards, along with all the other member states. We are part of that group no matter which way we turn. It is quite a strong position to be in. Far from being negative and pessimistic about the future, we have a great deal to play for. It is all to play for. In fact, we can come very well out of the debate which is now taking place and which will ultimately take place with our European colleagues. I have no doubt that we will be successful.