Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In my first speech since re-election, I thank the people of Galway West for putting their faith in me again. I pay tribute to my new colleagues, Deputies Hildegarde Naughton and Catherine Connolly on their election. I also pay tribute to the retired Deputy, Mr. Brian Walsh, and thank him for his support in the election, and also to the former Deputy, Mr. John O'Mahony, who was not returned on this occasion.

Mar iar Leas-Chathaoirleach den Comhchoiste um Ghnóthaí an Aontais Eorpaigh, cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht ar an ábhar fíor-thábhachtach seo. Rinne ár gcomhchoiste an-obair ag plé na ceiste faoi Brexit an bhliain seo caite agus ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an iar-Theachta Dominic Hannigan as ucht na hoibre a rinne sé mar Chathaoirleach den comhchoiste sin.

Chuaigh toscaireacht ón gcomhchoiste go dtí an Bhreatain i 2015 chun casadh le polaiteoirí, lucht gnó Éireannach sa Bhreatain, grúpaí Éireannacha agus leis an Aire Stáit Sasanach don Eoraip, David Lidington. Nuair a d'fhoilsigh an comhchoiste tuairisc i Meitheamh 2015 i Londain leis an teideal - Caidreamh idir an Ríocht Aontaithe agus an tAontas Eorpach sa Todhchaí: Na Ciallachais a ghabhann leis d'Éirinn - chuir cuid de na meáin ceisteanna orainn an raibh muid ag iarraidh tionchair a bheith againn i reifreann sa Bhreatain. B'shin ceist mhaith agus an freagra a bhí againn ná go raibh ceangal agus ról mór idir an dhá tír ó thaobh trádála de agus gur í an Bhreatain an comhpháirtí eacnamaíochta is tábhachtaí atá ag Éirinn, le níos mó ná 20% den tráchtáil.

4 o’clock

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs report, the UK-EU Future Relationship: Implications for Ireland, was published in June 2015. Much work was done in meeting various groups to compile the report with much interaction with people in Ireland, as well as with Irish people, businesses and others with an interest in Britain.

At the launch of the report, British journalists asked if we were attempting to influence the outcome of a referendum in another jurisdiction. It was a good question but the answer was that there is a fine line between interfering and expressing our views in a positive manner on the possible implications of a Brexit referendum on this country, our citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in Ireland. We felt we had a vested interest and a right to express our views and concerns about the possible implications. The decision is up to those who have a vote in the UK. However, there will be implications of that vote on this country and our relationship with the UK.

As other Members have said, we have a unique perspective because we are the only country with a land border with the UK. We are rightly concerned about the possible impacts of a return of Border controls, which would be unimaginable. Coming from Galway, I live far enough away not to have the experience some other Members had with the Border. While some would say, including the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, that there will be no return of such Border posts, can they say that conclusively? With such a focus on immigration in the Brexit debate, can one conclusively state there would not be the return of Border posts were the UK to exit the European Union?

We stayed out of the Scottish independence question. However, the committee discussed the interesting proposition of England voting to leave but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland voting to remain. It is for others to comment on the consequences of that.

In the meetings we had with Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP politicians, both from the Commons and the House of Lords, the issues raised concerned loss of sovereignty, immigration and benefits. The latter was raised not so much by the politicians themselves but they felt that was their constituents’ concern about the European Union and the perception it generates in Britain. As others have said, this is perhaps pushed by tabloids or certain anti-EU newspapers. We asked whether there was also a concern about red tape, imaginary or not, and whether certain laws emanating from Europe caused particular difficulties for business. I am not sure whether it was a perception or a reality but certainly red tape from Brussels was an issue.

The report made several recommendations. If Britain were to leave the EU, it hoped the Irish Government would have a role in the negotiations thereafter on Britain's relationship with the EU and Ireland's relationship with Britain. A recommendation was made on the common travel area. It stated the Irish Government should engage immediately, and in conjunction with UK Government, to protect the existing common travel area, which has a long history, as the introduction of any restrictions on the right of free movement of people would have a significant negative impact on the operation of the area between the UK and Ireland. The report recommended no external EU borders should be established on the island of Ireland separating North from South and that the Irish Government should engage with the Irish community in the UK and Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the possible impact of any destruction of the common travel area between the jurisdictions. We have a genuine right to express that concern to British citizens here in Ireland who will vote in the referendum.

We also asked that the Irish Government quantify the full potential costs to the Irish economy if the UK withdrew from the Single Market and to ensure Ireland's special status in the context of the negotiations with the EU as a vital economic national interest for Ireland. We also called for the Irish and UK Governments to work bilaterally to ensure in the context of its negotiations with the EU that an accommodation for the continued free movement of goods and services be sought and secured for the highly interdependent Irish-UK trading relationship. We also called for the Irish Government to be involved from the outset in all negotiations on the UK relationship with the EU as an issue of vital national interest to Ireland and that the Irish Government identify Ireland's red line issues to be accommodated in the context of UK-EU negotiations. The committee called for the negotiated exit or reform package for the UK to respect the special status of the Irish-UK relationship and that all existing bilateral arrangements between the UK and Ireland would be maintained, including citizenship arrangements, unrestricted travel, trade agreements and an unhindered Border.

There was a focus in the committee, with representatives from all parties and Independents, that there was a clear national interest at stake in this possible British withdrawal from the European Union and we had a right to have an involvement on behalf of all our citizens, as well as our citizens in the North, those resident in the UK and UK residents living in Ireland. That was accepted at the meetings I had with politicians and the UK Minister, who understood the special relationship between the two islands.

Any impact on the trade between the two countries could be detrimental to both countries’ economies. While it is the sovereign right of those who vote in the UK referendum, I hope they will see the benefits of a strong European Union. Unfortunately, sometimes the media across the water always puts the perceived negatives of the European Union to the fore. This is a great pity and I hope that the right result will pertain in June. I hope the UK will remain part of the European Union with a solid and significant majority, not a 1% or 2% margin. Such a result would leave the question hanging there for another possible future referendum. I hope the people of the UK will reflect on the positive role the European Union has had on their lives and the lives of millions of others across the Union.

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