Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would also like Dr. Coughlan to elaborate a little more on his point that by Ireland staying in the EU - and the United Kingdom deciding to leave - it is actually enhancing partition. I genuinely do not get that argument. In the UK's Brexit referendum, the majority of people in Northern Ireland were on the remain side and voted to stay. We all know that democracy is democracy and that a regional majority must bow to the overall outcome. In essence, however, there was a strong majority in Northern Ireland for remaining. Dr. Coughlan's theory would have Ireland jumping ship and bringing Ireland closer to that, when in fact the Northern Ireland's message was to stay. I cannot get the logic in his argument that by Ireland staying and by not joining Brexit with an Irexit, we are driving a wedge back into partition and, therefore, we are not enhancing the future possible unification of the island.

Like Senator Lawless, I also point out that while Ireland may be a net contributor now, it sounds very much like if one were to visit a friend, a relative or a neighbour's house, eat the cake and then get up and go. For 40 years the EU has been a mass contributor to the infrastructure, culture and social development within the island. That Ireland is now a net contributor is not a great argument. We must take into consideration where Ireland would be now if it had not joined 40 years ago and had not the benefits it has received. I agree with Dr. Coughlan that in some circumstances, there were disadvantages. Ireland had to accept controls or regulations about which we may not have been over the moon but with the good there is always some bad. In my opinion, the majority was on the side of positives. I ask Dr. Coughlan to elaborate a little more on it. It is easy to say, as in the two points I have raised, but I would like a little bit more flesh on the bones of the argument. We are formulating a report and it is very good that we get both sides of the argument. As both of the previous speakers have said, I may not be on the same side of the fence as Dr. Coughlan but I welcome his contributions and I take everything he said very seriously. It will be given due consideration when we compile our final report.