Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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The committee is now in public session. I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. It is not sufficient to have them on silent mode because they could cause problems for the broadcasting staff and the sound system.

Today the committee begins a series of meetings considering critical issues for Ireland in the event that our near neighbour, the United Kingdom, decides to exit the European Union. The Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, has promised a referendum for 2017 if he is returned to power in the general election in May. The committee decided to examine this issue now in view of the potential impact on this country and on the many Irish citizens who live in the UK. Hundreds of thousands of our country men and women live there. The meetings represent a valuable opportunity for the committee to hear from a range of informed speakers on the complex issues surrounding a potential UK exit from the EU, or what people are starting to call a “Brexit”.

Today we will hear from the economist, Colm McCarthy, who will provide us with the context of the issue and will, we hope, identify some of the critical issues facing Ireland should the referendum go ahead. On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. McCarthy to the meeting and we look forward to hearing his views on this subject.