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

Even against Kerry from time to time, Meath has been known to put in a good display.

I agree strongly with my colleagues who have referred to the unhelpful comments made by people who have made proposals on the direction Ireland should take in considering the future of the European Union. To say the least, such comments are unhelpful and they have come from people who should know better. It is timely for us to recognise that the Government, the Oireachtas and Members of the Houses, collectively, have a responsibility to keep firm lines and our position on membership of the European Union clear and transparent. We have long since committed to membership of it and intend for it to remain that way. We also need to be absolutely certain that pre-emptive strikes will not take place. One or two have already been made and we could find ourselves negotiating in a situation where some ground had already been conceded by virtue of some of the suggestions made. It is a little like tackling somebody before a rugby match starts. It involves red and black cards, sin bins and everything else. What I am trying to say, without mentioning names, is that pre-emptive strikes are unhelpful in the context of negotiations. The EU negotiating team is led by Michel Barnier and it is the appropriate route to follow.

We have a particular interest in Brexit because of the position of Northern Ireland which is of particular importance to us on this island. Nothing has changed in that regard and the commitment made by the Government prevails in terms of its anxiety to ensure continued access to the Single Market. There can be no fudging on the issue. It should also be recognised that the Irish and British Governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. It is on that basis that both of them have responsibility. The Good Friday Agreement is an international agreement and attempts to unwind it by stealth are not to the benefit of either Northern or Southern Ireland or the European Union. The European Union has given a commitment in that regard and there are also global commitments. I strongly reiterate the need for us to remain steadfast in our objectives and ensure we will not in any way be distracted by people who tend to make unhelpful, unfounded and unresearched suggestions that would lead us nowhere except into the sand.

We are glad to see that in terms of job creation, growth and competitiveness the position in the European Union is beginning to improve. It is focusing on the issues and bringing about results.

It remains with the larger economies in the European Union to take maximum advantage of this turning trend. Without that, it will fizzle out again.

In this country, we tend to think only of the security and defence of Europe. The passage of time and recent events indicate, however, we all have security and defence issues which we have to keep in mind. We need to be fully supportive of our security forces, the Garda and the Defence Forces, and be reliant upon them to do the job in ensuring their ability to counter any terrorist or potential terrorist attack. It is not to our advantage to highlight alleged weaknesses in our system. I do not believe we need to advertise to anybody these weaknesses. We must keep in mind also that some of the most security conscious countries in the world have not been able to withstand or detect in time the issues which have caused serious loss of life in the UK, France, Belgium and all over the globe. Tending in this country to downgrade our capabilities in this area is neither helpful, useful nor supportive. In actual fact, it undermines our ability to provide the adequate protection to our citizens.

It is not acceptable that countries throughout the European Union, notwithstanding that some of them are next door and closer to the action than we are, will not assist with the refugee crisis. Collectively, the European Union must be well disposed in catering for refugees. However, it seems we cannot do it because we cannot get the agreement of all member states. That is a failing not on the part of the Union but on the part of the countries who refuse, are incapable of or are unwilling to negotiate and cater for that situation. As I have said in the past, if, in the 21st century, the best we can do is offer razor wire to kids who are fleeing from torture, hunger and war, that is a sad reflection on the European Union in general, and an even sadder reflection on the individual countries concerned, particularly countries which have had themselves first-hand experience of the kind hardship that some of these people are now experiencing.

I apologise that I must leave but I have to attend a meeting next door. I wish the Minister of State well.