Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If Mr. Carthy will allow me to respond, he can then reply with the permission of the Chairman. Trade deals and our involvement in the EU are the real opportunity for an island such as Ireland. Economic growth on this island in terms of jobs, people and small, vulnerable businesses could not be sustained without comprehensive trade deals which allow us to be have a disproportionately large export sector compared to that we would have without trade deals and certainly compared to that we would have were we outside the EU. Facts are important. One can speak of how the EU is built and whether its citizens want to remain as citizens. The establishment of the European Union was probably the best peace agreement ever signed. People should remember that before it is put at risk. Most EU citizens wish to remain in the EU. When they really think about it, the people of Europe, not just political elites, want to remain members of the EU. All polls conducted in Ireland on this issue indicate that the majority of people on the island of Ireland are very positive towards the EU. It is worth bearing in mind that while problems may exist, and I appreciate that certain political parties have historical problems with the EU and its institutions, the real threat which Ireland faces is that people discussing Brexit fail to recognise that Ireland is stronger with its European partners.

It is not us setting up ideological divides. It is not us trying to have a go at Europe on the side while talking about endorsing it at the centre. We need to be integral, with our European partners, in negotiating a solution with the UK.

Unfortunately, the UK has chosen to leave. I think it is the worst decision that Britain has ever made, as a country. I would be much happier if it had chosen to remain, and I campaigned for Britain to remain. We have all lost by the UK leaving. We and our EU partners must negotiate a deal, which I believe is possible. After the UK general election is over I believe a mindset will develop, over the next two years, within British politics that will be better disposed to recognising the fact that even if Britain cannot remain within the EU it can do a deal with the EU that benefits both sides.