Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to address the House on this very important issue. Given the exceptional ties that bind our two islands together, the issue of the UK's relationship with the European Union is of fundamental and critical importance to us in Ireland.

Our two countries are bound by uniquely close economic, social, political and other connections. Furthermore, from a European Union perspective we share many issues of common concern and interest. These close ties, which are underpinned by the strong belief that the Union as a whole benefits from UK membership, has informed the Government's position and approach to engagement on these EU negotiations. It will come as no surprise to any Member of this House that we want the UK to remain a member of the European Union.

Since my appointment in July 2014 as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, negotiations at EU level on the question of UK membership of the EU have been a key focus and priority for the Government as well as for me personally. Through my participation in the General Affairs Council and as a vice president of the European People's Party, I have had the privilege of being involved in preparations for the negotiations between the EU Heads of State and Government that took place in December 2015 and again last February. On the substance of the negotiations, as noted by the Taoiseach in his post-European Council statement, a new settlement was agreed by the European Council on 19 February. This is a legally binding international agreement and as such has been deposited with the United Nations in New York. The agreed measures were in four key areas, the first of which was in respect of economic governance. This included moves to prevent non-eurozone member states such as the UK from being disadvantaged by decisions taken solely by eurozone member states. The second area pertained to competitiveness and included completion of the Single Market, cutting red tape and expediting international trade agreements. The third area was in respect of sovereignty and included the introduction of a so-called red card concept to enhance the role of national parliaments as well as language to address the sometimes vexed issue of what is referred to as ever closer union. Finally, the area of social benefits included new restrictions on the payment of child benefit and in-work benefits as well as measures to address the abuse of freedom of movement. In the case of a vote to remain in the UK on 23 June, the agreed measures on economic governance, sovereignty and competitiveness would take effect immediately while those relating to social benefits and the abuse of free movement would be implemented by amending or complementing existing EU regulations and therefore would not take effect for some time after the referendum. The Taoiseach already has addressed this issue in some detail this morning.

I believe it is worth noting here that while the main objective behind the EU negotiations was the need to reach an agreement that would be acceptable to the United Kingdom and all other partners, the negotiations also presented an opportunity to consider and improve the way the Union does its business as well as to address a number of anomalies. Consequently, in many of the key policy areas of the settlement, Ireland and many other member states shared British enthusiasm for the proposed changes. Throughout the negotiations the Government supported measures to give further impetus to growth, competitiveness and employment, which included strengthening the Single Market, building a real digital Single Market - a cause the Government has championed for some time - and expanding the Union's network of trade relationships across the globe. The Government was also supportive of measures to enhance the role of national parliaments and prevent the abuse of free movement. It welcomed advances in areas that have the potential to contribute to long-term prosperity for Irish citizens and equally for the citizens of other member states. Some issues, such as those under the welfare and immigration heading, were of course more difficult to address than others, but even here agreement was achieved. It is worth recalling that Prime Minister Cameron secured a deal that few informed commentators would have considered possible six months previously. Despite considerable reservations in some quarters, there was a shared sense of willingness and a determination to reach a deal which thankfully prevailed over the obstacles. Ireland was to the fore in encouraging such a constructive and pragmatic attitude in the negotiations process. Indeed, the Taoiseach's personal contributions to discussions at European Council meetings were greatly appreciated by both the United Kingdom and our other EU partners. I am confident that our constructive and pragmatic engagement helped to forge the positive approach at EU level, which in turn enabled agreement be reached. This deal alone, although important itself, will not nor should not determine outcome of the referendum. The question is for the United Kingdom's population and is far more fundamental, namely, whether to remain in or to leave the Union of which it has been a core member for more than half of its post-Second World War history. It is a fundamental decision with potentially huge consequences.

In the many exchanges which I and other Ministers have had with EU partners over recent years on the subject of the UK-EU relationship, it is evident, notwithstanding Ireland's unique ties with the United Kingdom, that we certainly are not alone among EU partners in recognising the significance of the UK's membership of the European Union. This reality is central to why it was possible to agree a deal on 19 February, especially given that it covered such sensitive areas as freedom of travel and the treatment of workers from other member states as well as the difficult and real tensions which arise because of the status of the euro as the currency of most but not all member states. From Ireland's perspective, there are particular economic, political and social reasons for the importance attached to continued British membership of the European Union, not least with regard to Northern Ireland, which was mentioned recently by other speakers and which the Taoiseach covered in his statement to the House this morning. In my view, there is an understanding throughout Europe that although the United Kingdom was not a founding member of the institutional architecture that has evolved into the present-day European Union, its history and the history of the Union are inextricably linked, not least in a shared vision of rebuilding the Continent after its darkest hour. Moreover, those partners desire, as does Ireland, that the UK should remain a member of the European Union because the Union as a whole benefits from the UK's membership thereof. As a Union of 28, far more can be achieved together. There are many challenges, which I suspect to be increasing in number, where we can only be effective if we manage to work together as a Union. Acting as a Union of 28 strengthens our ability and our capacity and, in the end, it can strengthen the outcome.

Although not the subject of this discussion, to take but one example I refer to the cohesion among member states on sanctions against Russia, with each member state having different interests and relations but yet still managing to accept the core principle that if we can stick together, we can be more effective. Whether we are discussing climate change or global standard setting in the marketplaces to which we export or from which we import or any other issue, policy formulation and decision-making within the Union benefits from the input of the United Kingdom and the solutions we find are more likely to be effective as a result. None of this nor indeed anything that is said today affects the blunt reality that the decision on the UK's membership of the EU lies with its electorate and they will decide on this question less than nine weeks from now. Moreover, the situation being so uncertain is something that is of benefit to very few. From an Irish point of view, no such uncertainly exists here. It is known that our future lies in the heart of the European Union where we have made our way successfully for many decades. As a small open country, we derive huge benefits from our membership both within the Union and from relations the EU has externally, and in the Union we discern the best means of securing our future prosperity and of advancing and defending values we share with our partners. In my opinion, attachment to the European Union reflects a broad understanding that, taken in the round, the EU has served Ireland enormously well and is likely to continue to do so.

As a friend and neighbour with which we share many common values and interests, we sincerely hope the UK will continue to work with us at the heart of the European Union.

My hope is that on 24 June, we will be looking forward as a renewed Union of 28 member states, but strengthened and ready to work together, to address the many challenges facing us here in Ireland, the citizens of the United Kingdom and, collectively, the citizens of the European Union. I thank everyone for their contribution to today's debate.

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