Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he take the opportunity this evening, in his meeting with the Secretary of State, to outline very clearly to her that a very strong pro-European Union view is held throughout Northern Ireland? In fact, as the Minister mentioned in his reply, all of us recognise the very valuable contribution the EU has made to the political advances and the major progress in Northern Ireland over the past 17 or 18 years.

If Britain were to leave the Single Market, it would be catastrophic from our point of view. I represent the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan which has a very long land border with Northern Ireland. I grew up along the Border, with its customs posts and permanent vehicle checkpoints.

I do not want to see either in situalong the Border ever again. I sincerely hope the Minister will continue to send a strong message to the British Government that membership of the EU, with access to 500 million people in a Single Market and the very valuable trade on a bilateral basis throughout the EU, is of critical importance to all the people on this island. It is important to reflect there is a far stronger pro-EU sentiment in areas outside of England.

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