Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Listening to the Taoiseach's contribution on the statements today one can see that he believes it is virtuous not to seek an opt out in any particular situation. It is important to remind the Taoiseach and Deputy Roche, who now holds a new portfolio, that sovereign governments exercise the right to secure the right to opt out in the interests of sovereign people, which we are. The Government should evaluate every situation in the interest of the people who have elected it.

Let me cite the Taoiseach's references to police and criminal co-operation and what has been described as Britain's opt in clauses in relation to it. The people have options. From the Taoiseach's response to me during Taoiseach's questions, I formed a view that he was reading my points that it was an opt out blanket in all situations for State aid provisions, but that is not the case. I am asking the Minister to take up in the course of the upcoming intergovernmental conference the opportunity to ensure that we have the right to exercise an opt out clause, where the specific provision is in conflict with the Government's stated intent to address the imbalance in terms of regional development. As a Border Deputy, I am deeply concerned that we will not see the critical implementation of the promise to address the kinked economic and infrastructural investment that the Border and western counties have suffered from for many years. It is critical the Government protects the interests of people in the regions throughout the island. I understand the EU is well disposed to this.

Under the North-South Ministeial Council it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that State aid is provided to allow the problems of the regions to be addressed and to give economic vibrancy to the regions that have been long neglected. We have a real fear that if we do not ensure the opt out option is in place, that effort will be significantly curtailed, if not rendered impossible.

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