Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses to what I regard as an important event. Given the fact that Britain has decided to leave the European Union, this country finds itself out on its own in the middle of the Atlantic, further away from mainland Europe and therefore that has a psychological effect. It is important that we renew the friendships that we have with people within Europe and that we realise how important it is for us to be part of the European venture, as it were. I very much welcome having the Maltese representatives here today. That is important, especially as Malta is a smaller country like ourselves. We live in a time when we could get lost. We are a very proud member of the European Union, dating back many years, but I do not think the importance of the exit of Britain is realised in terms of the break-up of the European Union and how it will affect us physically. Therefore, visits such as the one by Malta are very welcome to me personally.

It is time for Europe to have a look at itself and the mission of the European Union. From time to time one tends to lose sight of why we have this Union. Is it just about finance? Is it about people? Is it about the movement of people? We must renew what we mean by being European. I make no apology for supporting colleagues within the European Union, no matter where it is or what the event may be. It is time that all of us had a look at why we are in the European Union and what it is about. Is it solely about trade or is it about allowing us to be European in the real sense, so that we can travel, meet, share and learn? Such things are vitally important. We tend to look at all the problems around the world without looking at our own problems within. I am in this Parliament since 1981 and I find that as countries we are becoming more and more selfish, as distinct from following a particular cause or route. For that reason, visits like this are very important to me as they allow us to share ideas and support. I stress the word "support" for each other.

Smaller countries in particular need to recognise that they are full members of the European Union and we must demand our rights within the European Union. It is very important that Malta visits us and that we visit Malta, that this contact continues and we share our concerns. Following the visit, there should be more parliamentary delegations from both countries meeting and sharing our concerns and views. That seems to have fallen away because in this country it is regarded as a junket by the media if we decide to visit other member states for two or three days. That said, one just has to ignore it because it is vitally important to build up the European project. I do not underestimate the damage the European project is suffering as a result of the exit of Britain. It is underestimated, although it is going to happen within four or five weeks. We are going to be strangers, in effect. This is something that is very big.

It is something all of us who are interested in the European project need to seriously start thinking about. There is a need for us to meet each more often and share views, and we should make no apologies for helping each other. For that reason, I certainly welcome the Minister's visit, as do all my colleagues as has been said. I hope we can reciprocate by returning to his country and I had the pleasure of being in Malta previously. There is nothing in particular I want to ask him other than to say how important it is that he is here. He is very welcome and I hope this will be the beginning of ongoing relationships.