Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ms O'Connell mentioned that in European Movement Ireland's survey of other members of the European Movement International, only 55% saw Brexit as the main priority. This is alarming but not surprising. Could she dig a bit deeper into those figures to see if there is a geographic imbalance, for example, is it the case that the further east the country, the less it is an issue? She mentioned Denmark and the Netherlands as being close to Irish interests and considering possible new alliances, as Senator O'Reilly mentioned. The European Movement International network gives a great insight into civic society. What are its thoughts on the future of the EU? Are they very different from the ones we are discussing in Ireland? Ms O'Connell complimented the Irish Government and the Civil Service on their approach to lobbying in Brussels. What lobbying is European Movement Ireland doing in the European Movement International network?

I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Ó Donnghaile's points on the Citizens' Assembly. I attended the civic dialogue with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and it was excellent. Rather than having one catch-all repeat of the forum in Europe, it would be better to force each Department to hold a dialogue every year, a different one each month, to focus on European issues.

What is the role of European Movement Ireland in the future of the EU and of Ireland within that Union? Is it worth fighting for? How will the movement fight for it? I am aware that Ms O'Connell's contribution this morning will be counterbalanced by the contribution we will hear this afternoon from someone who wants us to leave the EU. Why should we stay in?