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

I will take account of the Vice Chairman's comments and try to phrase my comments as questions. I thank the Minister of State for appearing before the joint committee. Senator Richmond asked many of the questions I intended to ask and I do not propose repeating the points he made. The Senator referred to the terminology of a speech made by the Taoiseach on the Irish position. While I like consultation as a process, the party the Taoiseach leads has a very strong tradition in Europe and a very clear position on the matter. Speaking as a member of the Fine Gael Party and a Deputy, there is a clear need for an enunciation by the Government of what we would like to see in terms of the federal future of Europe.

During my most recent conversation with the Minister of State, I noted that one of the greatest threats to the long-term future security of Europe is the belief among certain large member states that they have ownership of Europe and their view that the rest of us are almost an inconvenience who are along for the ride. This view must be challenged by all the smaller member states. The belief that this view is held among certain member states may not be shared at governmental level but it is certainly felt by citizens of the European Union, particularly in smaller member states. It is not helped by the Franco-German axis behaving in a way that sometimes gives the impression that their view of Europe is the only view of Europe. Many other member states, notably new eastern European and smaller states, hold similar views to those of Ireland. We need a stronger, deeper and more integrated Europe but it must be a confederation of equal states that are proud of their traditions and heritage and want to work together in a stronger deeper Europe. We must get this message out very clearly. My party has believed in this approach for many years. All Irish Governments have held the same view of where we should go on Europe and we should be at the forefront of leading this approach.

I am particularly anxious to find out what our thinking will be in the event of the Brexit negotiations failing. We consistently monopolise the view that negotiations will fail because the British will be awkward or obstinate. However, the ratification process for the Brexit deal through the European Union structures is as likely to result in the deal failing as the British stance. If a deal is reached, as I believe probable, what is our position on the possibility that it will not be ratified?

In the context of the position that there should not be a border on this island, what is our position on where the border should be? There is a significant amount of east-west movement and many goods are transported across the United Kingdom into the Continent. Given that we will be on the wrong side of the UK after Brexit, what is our position on the swathe of industry which needs to access the continental market?