Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. The Government's position on developments relating to British membership of the European Union has been clearly articulated, in particular by the Taoiseach and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; we very much want the United Kingdom to remain an integral member of the Union. This is important for both the economy and the ongoing development of the excellent bilateral relations Ireland and the United Kingdom now enjoy. Ireland is perhaps the member state that would be most affected by any change in the EU-UK relationship. We also believe the European Union is stronger and more effective with the United Kingdom as a member.

The United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Union is, therefore, a matter of strategic importance for the Government. In this regard, Departments, including my own, have been working on the matter for some time. Under the Department of Finance and Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, research programme agreement, my Department commissioned research to be undertaken on scoping the potential economic implications for Ireland of a change in the EU-UK relationship. The research was published on 5 November and is an important contribution in deepening our understanding of the potential issues arising. Although the research was commissioned under the Department of Finance and ESRI research programme agreement, it is important to underline that the ESRI is an independent institution.

My Department and others are continuing our assessment of all the issues involved in protecting Ireland's economic interests. However, I emphasise that the main focus of our work is now on examining how to support UK membership of the European Union rather than planning for its withdrawal. In this context, the Deputy will be aware of the publication of the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron's letter to the President of the European Council on 10 November, in which he sets out in broad terms the changes that the United Kingdom intends to seek in the renegotiation of its membership of the European Union. We are entering a phase of discussions at European Union level leading up to the December European Council. Ireland will be very engaged both at political and official level.

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