Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understood I was sharing time with Deputy Ó Caoláin. I have a very short speech, everyone will be glad to hear. First, I commend Deputy Clare Daly. Her speech was fantastic. The passion and emotion she showed was fantastic as is the fact that she went out there.

The Brexit referendum, which takes place on 23 June 2016, could have profound ramifications for this island. I note that this acting Government, and the previous Government, have been very concerned about the negative impact that a Brexit would have on the economy of this State. This is a legitimate concern that needs to be discussed and focused on. However, the major impact of a Brexit will be felt by citizens in the Six Counties and this State. It is estimated that the combined loss of EU investment, subsidies, and funds arising from a Brexit, would cost the Six Counties £3.5 billion.

This money is used to tackle endemic patterns of societal inequality and under investment; the consequences of decades of political conflict; and the structural weakness of the regional economy, limitations of the public expenditure budget, and the lack of fiscal independence. It will not be replaced by a Tory cabinet in London that is determined to privatise all public services, demolish the welfare state and social protections, and to facilitate deepening inequality. A Brexit could also harden the division between North and South in Ireland, and harden the Border, with the potential for customs checkpoints and trading tariffs. This would hugely affect the all-island economy and have severe implications for the natural trade pattern that happens on this island.

This does not mean that Sinn Féin is uncritical of the EU. We have deep concerns about, and strong criticism of, the EU which has massively shifted to the right in recent decades and which continues to attack state sovereignty and economic freedoms. We continue to work with likeminded parties to reform the EU institutions from within, and to demand a more progressive union, a democratic union, a Europe that does not just talk about solidarity but delivers for all of its people. The structure of the referendum is hugely undemocratic. Even if voters from the North vote to stay, along with voters in Scotland and Wales, their votes will not be binding if the overall vote is to leave. Due to the sheer population differences, it is clear that this referendum will be decided by voters in England.

The British Government has refused Sinn Féin's demands that a separate and binding referendum be run in the North. Should a vote to leave occur, Sinn Féin is calling on the British Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, to commit to holding a Border poll. If there is a vote in Britain to leave the EU there is a democratic imperative to provide Irish citizens with the right to vote in a Border poll to end partition and retain a role in the EU.

The Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour parties have continued to refuse to support calls for a Border poll in recent years. I hope that in the case of such a negative development as Brexit, which will be a political and economic game changer, all parties and Members of this House would support the call for a Border poll, which is provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.

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