Ms Noelle O'Connell:

I know. In terms of them versus us, in Ireland we sometimes tend to nationalise success and Europeanise failure a little bit and it is Ireland versus Europe. Sometimes we forget that we are a part of Europe and we have a role to play, as outlined by Senator Higgins. Therefore, we must ensure that we continue to have our say.

Deputy Cullinane mentioned immigration, migration and listening to people. I could not agree with him more. The tone of the rhetoric, how divisive and how challenging everything was during the Brexit referendum was something that we did not welcome. While respecting that it was a decision for the UK electorate, we were unequivocal in our view that Brexit would not be in anyone's interest.

On the migration issue, we would like it to gain more prominence. More than 700,000 Irish people live in Britain and 5 million British people can claim at least one Irish born grandparent. Again, it is something to bear in mind.

Deputy Cullinane also mentioned Eurosceptics. I believe it is important to be constantly critiquing, interrogating and questioning our relationship with Europe. It is also only right that political parties do so, and is to be welcomed. From a European Movement Ireland perspective, the ongoing future of Europe debate should be fully inclusive and, as Mr. Pratt said, we must make sure that the voices of citizens are involved.

Deputy Haughey raised some interesting and important points in terms of the opportunities for a more effective functioning of various EU institutions. I also thank Senator Higgins for her interesting points and wish we had more time to flesh them out a little bit further.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins is correct in saying we have a template or a number of scenarios that President Junker has laid out, but it will not be based on them only. Mr. Pratt has hit the nail on the head that it will be about much more than that. It returns us to the fundamental point made in our submission, that in Ireland we must be clear about the what we want the European Union to look like in the future and on our role in it and make sure we seize the moment. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we have a voice at more than one table. For instance, the European Parliament will also have to have a say on the deal. Therefore, it behoves all of us to make sure the Irish point of view is communicated robustly in each of the institutions and at all levels. We must ensure we bring citizens with us by making sure their views will be heard.