Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am interested in the Deputy's range of views. She talked about being bland and general. Deputy Martin talked about being banal and general. I have listed six or eight specific issues in the reply I gave to both Deputies. They are not generalities; they are quite specific about where we stand and where we want to be. Deputy Mary Lou MacDonald finds it worrying that we should be helpful in respect of Britain's position.

I pointed out to Deputy Martin that we do not have the details, other than generalities and general principles, of what the Prime Minister has set out. However, the Deputy will be aware of the extent of trade across the Irish Sea every day and the extent to which jobs in this country are dependent upon British trade and on exports from Ireland to Britain. It is beyond simplistic to assume that it is not evident to everybody that being a member of a market with a population of 500 million has enormous implications and potential for Ireland. Britain is our closest neighbour and our greatest trading partner, and that also has serious implications for us. It is, therefore, in our interest - and as all other countries have said - that the European Union would continue to be stronger with Britain as a central member.

In fairness to Prime Minister Cameron, he has been very strong about the completion of the Single Market and the digital market. He has also been very strong on getting rid of useless red tape and strangulation by administration. Everyone supports these-----

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