Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I welcome Mr. Durkan. He is one of a number of contributors to the debate and the problem is that it is like playing devil's advocate. We are considering the ifs and buts that permeate the debate. The committee started by trying to speculate about the effects on Ireland if Britain pulled out but we have not yet come to terms with the Tories and their suggestion that they will have a "Yes" or "No" referendum if they get an overall majority in the next election. The first hurdle must be overcome, which is whether the Tories get an overall majority. Most speakers have outlined the lunacy of the current thinking of the Tories and the negative effect of a pull-out, although it is not like unplugging from a socket, for Britain and Ireland.

We have a divided nation, with Six Counties still occupied by the British establishment. We have the Border and we are in Europe and in the euro, while Britain is in the sterling zone. The ramifications for Ireland vis-à-visthe Border are tremendously complicated.

With UKIP basically a racist and anti-immigration force at play in Britain, the hysteria was illustrated by the media presenting themselves at airports to see the immigrants who were going to rob the welfare system dry in England. The media discovered only one man was coming in but he had a job. Romanians and Bulgarians did not flood in and most people agree the benefit to any nation of inward immigration is because of the motivation of immigrants, who want to work and are productive in the workforce.

What will happen in Northern Ireland politics? First of all, there is a substantial Unionist representation that takes its seats. It would be interesting to hear the analysis of how the brothers in the Unionist fraternity would relate to the Conservative Party in Great Britain. The irony of it is the position of Scotland and, by implication, Wales. Is there an argument that UKIP, if successful, would eventually end up wrecking the United Kingdom? Sinn Féin, being eurosceptic, will not take part in the debate in Westminster.

How will the political dice in this regard roll vis-à-visScotland, Northern Ireland and Wales?

Some people seek an out in the context of Norway and Switzerland. Does Mr. Joe Durkan agree that the actions of the Swiss in the context of their recent referendum and attempts to control immigrant labour were farcical? As everyone is aware, Switzerland shares borders with France, Italy and Germany and I understand that the result of the referendum to which I refer cannot be implemented because it is not possible to create quotas in respect of European workers entering and leaving particular jurisdictions.

Is it fair to state that we should anticipate that negotiations on the part of Westminster in respect of unravelling whatever treaties the British feel need to be unravelled will probably last two years? As is the case with Greece, does our guest believe that Britain would find itself very short of friends if it were to leave the current community of 28 member states? Are there any implications for England in the context of the TTIP negotiations?