Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Comhghairdeas on the Acting Chair's re-election to Dáil Éireann. I hope we will not all be on the road again in a few weeks. I will speak for less than five minutes because I wish to allow Deputy O'Loughlin in.

People who have said we should not be having this debate are out of touch with reality. The matter is certainly to the fore. Usually when I make a contribution about such issues at meetings I always consult with my electorate. Over recent weeks I have consulted with my constituents in Roscommon-Galway and it is quite clearly on their agendas. It is being spoken about a lot and Irish people who are home on holidays from the UK are talking about the situation that could develop if Britain was to exit the EU.

This referendum will take place on 23 June which is just a mere eight or ten weeks away. The referendum will be a defining moment in the history of the European Union, the outcome of which could change the nature of the Union. The Fianna Fáil Party is very clear about where it stands on this issue.

While this decision is for Great Britain alone to make, we do not believe that a British exit from the EU would be in the best interests of the Union and it would certainly not be in the best interests of the island of Ireland. As has been stated previously in this debate, Great Britain is our nearest neighbour and largest trading partner. I am of the view that the ramifications of a British exit from the EU would be far-reaching and wide-ranging and would definitely have an effect on this country.

Several reports have highlighted that a British exit from the EU would have direct negative consequences for Ireland in the trade, travel, tourism, agrifood - which is a significant part of the Irish economy - and energy sectors. The energy sector is an area in respect of which we need to co-operate with Europe in order to keep energy prices down. A recent report by Teagasc noted that a Brexit could mean a reduction in the value of Irish agrifood exports of anything from €150 million to €800 million per annum. An ESRI report noted that a Brexit could reduce bilateral trade flows between Ireland and the UK by 20% or more. These figures are phenomenal. What I have described would cost the Irish economy €3 billion or €4 billion annually. In addition to the reports to which I refer, the World Economic Outlook published recently by the IMF warned of the possibility of severely damaged regional and global trade relationships in the event of Great Britain leaving the EU.

A number of speakers mentioned Northern Ireland. This is the most significant area of which we should take heed. I am sure the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who is in the Chamber, is a man with great experience in dealing with Northern Ireland and with foreign affairs ministers from across Europe and the rest of the world. I believe there would be serious consequences for Northern Ireland if a Brexit were to occur. Much of the social, cultural and economic functioning between North and South and between Ireland and Great Britain is simplified by the fact that both countries are EU members. This has allowed us to forge common bonds at EU level and foster good working relationships. Deputy Pringle was very negative about the EU but never did he mention the importance of the role of the EU in getting rid of our Border, making the surrounding region a better place and attracting more industry to Northern Ireland. We must take those matters on board.

The values of the EU - liberty, equality, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights - have served us well. Fianna Fáil hopes that despite the challenges facing the Union, Great Britain will recognise the many benefits of EU membership and will vote to remain on 23 June. Of course, it is an issue for the British people alone. None of us is happy with what is happening in Turkey but we cannot control many of those things and nobody has an answer to the migrant crisis. Like many Members of this House and many politicians in Ireland, I am not happy with that situation.

This is a small island state on the edge of Europe. We have benefited greatly from EU funds. Education, agriculture, transport and even health programmes have all benefited from European funding. As has already been pointed out, Great Britain contributes €17 billion annually to the EU and extracts just €6 billion. No doubt, if there was an exit by Great Britain, I can see some of the funding that would come to Ireland being lost. I hope that on the day of the referendum, the British people will do what I think is the right thing for Europe. Of course, not everything is right in Europe. We all know that. We all know there are problems but we do not live in a perfect world or a perfect society. If the British people vote to remain, it will be the right thing to do.

See this speech in context