Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to start by reiterating that I am a republican and, as such, the first thought that comes to my head about Britain leaving the EU is that this vote will take place and, whatever the impact may be, it will reinforce Britain's hold on that part of Ireland. It is something that the vast majority of people across this island are opposed to. The unique circumstances of the North will not be considered no matter how the people living in the North vote because they will go with the rest of Britain. The North will be out voted by Britain and that means if the North wants to remain part of the EU and Britain does not, it will be dragged out too. The very nature of this vote is therefore undemocratic from an Irish point of view. British voters should not be allowed to dictate Ireland's relationship with Brussels. I strongly support the call of the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, for the British Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, to make a firm commitment to hold a Border poll in the case that the North votes to stay in Europe and Britain votes to pull out. There is a democratic imperative to provide Irish citizens with the right to vote on a Border poll to end partition and to retain the role of the EU. The Good Friday Agreement provides for a Border poll to be conducted with the British bound to legislate for any change arising.

There are other reasons why I am arguing against a British exit from the European Union. It would harden the Border and make it more permanent. As a Deputy from a Border area, I am acutely aware of the effects such a move will have on the daily lives and the economic and commercial life of the area that I represent. I am acutely aware of the effects a British withdrawal from the European Union will have on the agrifood industry, not only in the Border area but also in a rural constituency. Our agrifood exports amount to about €11 billion per annum and for our economy, the reality is that Britain is a main destination for a lot of our produce. It is the single most important market for agrifood products and it is more dependent on that market than any other sector of our economy. If Britain should vote to leave the EU, our already troubled beef and dairy sectors will have to set about renegotiating trading relationships between Britain and EU member states, including Ireland. The recent Teagasc report noted that if Brexit took place, Britain would have a far greater scope to adopt its own agricultural policy and the change in British agricultural policy, in which we would have no influence as we now have via the EU, could have serious repercussions for us both North and South of the Border.

My opposition to Britain leaving the European Union does not mean that I do not have criticism of the European Union and how it manifests itself in the lives of my constituents. There are issues in the Common Agricultural Policy, which needs reforms, and in that way we have to continue to be positive but critical members of the European Union. We have difficulties with how the EU directives affecting the agricultural sector are implemented here, for example, farm inspections and the implications of other directives. We recognise that many of the arguments put forward by Britain by those favouring an exit have validity and a valid basis but we see our role as reforming from within and consistently challenging an increasingly right-wing agenda within the EU to favour the development of a socially progressive Europe. This is what we do with our four MEPs and in co-operation with other like-minded parties across Europe. I add my voice to those appealing to people here and in Britain to vote against this move. It will not benefit us, either North or South of the Border.

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