Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that both the east-west and North-South relationships have never been better and they continue to develop. If there was a change of Britain's status within the EU it would set back those developing relationships and would have a huge effect on the economy of this country. A the moment, some €1 billion in exports pass between Ireland and the UK every week so it would have huge implications. It is very important we campaign to ensure there is a rejection of this proposal in the UK.

There are 500,000 people who were born on this island but who live in the UK and one in four of all UK citizens have some Irish DNA so we can have huge influence in this referendum debate and we all have a duty to use that connection. This Government's position is well known. Our overriding focus is on keeping the UK in the European Union. We remain convinced that this is in the best interests, not just of our valued bilateral relationship but also of the Union as a whole.

We are conscious of the significant political, strategic and economic risks for us if the UK were to leave the EU. These are particularly relevant to the Irish economy and to Northern Ireland and, more broadly, to the balances within the EU. The most effective means of reducing these risks is to work hard with EU partners to ensure that a British exit does not happen. Ultimately, it will be for the British electorate to decide upon the future of the UK's relationship with the European Union and it is our sincere hope that they choose to remain within this union of partners and friends where we work together to achieve the best for all our citizens.

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