Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We seem to be talking about nothing other than Brexit. Europe rather than Brexit is what we should be talking about. At some stage, we need to get sight of the fact that there are flaws in the European project. Europe is and has been very beneficial to the Continent, but it is unwieldy and certain things do not quite match up, for example, the German economy and structures compared with eastern European economies and structures. There are a few things we should remember. The UK is our closest friend and colleague. We speak the same language and have broadly the same mindset. Ireland will be somewhat isolated in Europe. We will become the only remaining English-speaking country in the EU. We must also understand what I describe as "Eurovision Song-ifcation" of Europe whereby as more European countries have entered the EU, power and the population base have transferred across.

There is a concern that some countries in the EU want to punish the UK. I do not believe the UK should be punished nor do I believe that it should be rewarded. Neither option should be chosen. We should be friends of the British people. I believe it was an error of judgement but this is what was voted for and we must get on with it. The EU has issues. It is too unwieldy. President Juncker is certainly a eurocrat but I was satisfied to hear Donald Tusk saying after the vote that perhaps the EU needs to take stock, have a look and see what direction Europe is going in. We must also remember that in the next number of weeks and months, about one third of the people of Europe will vote in elections. This will have a pretty significant impact on the direction Europe will take.

One crucial aspect of Brexit is money. Businesses all over Europe that trade with the UK or are likely to lose trade with the UK will require a funding stream to see them over the hump of potential loss of markets or the potential imposition of tariffs on goods entering the UK. For that to happen, we must ensure the European institutions have the funding streams and the ability to put in place a very low interest, long-term amount of money for which businesses can apply to allow them to get through a period of difficulty. A number of months ago, we saw the impact of a drop in the value of the pound on the mushroom industry, but businesses moved quickly. They are more capable of moving than any government. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine spoke previously about the €150 million fund for Irish agriculture. That needs to be multiplied by thousands. We need not billions but possibly up to a trillion or €2 trillion so that businesses in Europe have access at low rates over long periods and then business will be fine. We will then get over the hump and the potential difficulty that we could have if markets or goods tariffs are impacted.

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