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

The primary work being done in the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade is to develop a constructive role for Ireland to assist the United Kingdom in retaining membership of the European Union. As we move towards the Council meeting in December, the Government is considering how it can contribute constructively to the negotiations, working with EU partners to reach pragmatic solutions, while at the same time protecting the economic interests of Ireland. We have not yet had any real discussion on the scenario that none of us wants, that of a British exit. That would happen in a subsequent phase. I would be very surprised if it was an exit simpliciterrather than a change in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The nature of what would replace that relationship would decide whether this would be a big problem for Ireland or not as the case may be. There are precedents; Norway has such an agreement.

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