Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Minister's assertion that we need to be actively involved in the process under way between the British Government and the European Union. We should be doing so on the basis that we are actively working towards keeping Britain in the European Union. The reality is we are economically interdependent and our interests are inextricably linked. That is borne out by the trade relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Having said that, we also have a duty to plan for the other scenario of a Brexit which may not be likely but is a possibility. Given the significant issues raised in the ESRI's report in terms of trade, foreign direct investment, energy security and migration implications, we need to actively consider what measures Ireland would need to implement if the scenario was to come to pass. I sincerely hope it will not happen, but my question is whether we are working with the scenario of a Brexit in mind. It is fundamentally in our interests to be prepared should it happen.

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