Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have these debates because all parties looked at how we dealt with European issues after the rejection of a number of European treaties. To make the work of the European Council more relevant, we wanted to have a debate in this House in advance of Council meetings and for the Taoiseach to come back to report after Council meetings.

The level of attendance at this debate and the fact that a single Minister of State is here is not in keeping with the seriousness of European issues and how they impact us. I do not mean any disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, but it is an indication of the Government's perspective. The Government should be listening to each of the contributions made in advance of the European Council meeting. The views of Parliament should be reflected at the Council, or at least be heard by the Government in advance of its meeting.

The purpose of the meeting being held tomorrow and Friday is to discuss climate change, the multiannual financial framework, external relations, economic and monetary union and Brexit. The issue of Brexit has wisely been left until Friday, as the results of tomorrow's UK election will represent a decisive moment of choice in what happens next. If Boris Johnson wins a majority tomorrow, the latest withdrawal agreement will be ratified before the end of January and the UK will effectively leave the European Union. If Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister tomorrow, he will seek to renegotiate the deal and put it to a new people's vote before June of next year. Boris Johnson has made it clear that he intends to take the UK far from European norms and to trade with the European Union on a similar basis to Canada. The Conservative Party has become the de facto Brexit party under Boris Johnson. It is pursuing a fantasy of global trade despite evidence to the contrary, such as the Trump administration's recent treatment of its ally Brazil.

The British Labour Party will seek to preserve jobs, workers' rights and environmental protections to a much greater extent and it will seek to remain in a customs union with the European Union to facilitate trade in goods. Many in the British Labour Party will campaign to remain in any referendum to confirm a new deal. I will not speculate on the opinion polls and potential results of tomorrow's UK election, but a UK Government led by the British Labour Party would be far better for Ireland because only the British Labour Party is committed to retaining that level of close alignment with the European Union. My colleagues have met with representatives of British manufacturing who predict that the UK could lose its entire motor industry because of Brexit, even if it secures a trade deal. That is because modern manufacturing in Europe is international. Materials and components are sourced from across Europe and it is only possible to have a seamless supply line if one remains within the ambit of the European Union. The manufacturing industry has regular meetings with the British Labour Party, but not with the Conservative Party, as only the British Labour Party is willing to discuss seriously the impact of such matters on industrial policy.

If Boris Johnson secures a majority and passes the withdrawal agreement, we face the risk of a no-deal exit by the UK at the end of next year. It is highly unlikely that the UK will conclude a trade deal in that timeframe and it remains to be seen whether Boris Johnson is prepared to back down on his often-stated claim that he will seek no further extension beyond December 2020. If the political situation in Britain is still volatile, he may prefer to take the plunge rather than prolong the inevitable tension with Brexiteer supporters. The end of 2020 will be a cliff edge for Ireland, as the economic and political effects of Brexit will be much worse in the event of a no-deal scenario. Even if the balance of power in the UK Parliament does not change much after this election, it is important to remember that the Conservative Party has purged many pro-EU moderates from its ranks and thus the Conservative MPs elected tomorrow are more likely to take a hardline pro-Brexit stance, regardless of the consequences to their country. I urge the Government to continue to plan for a no-deal Brexit as it is now a real possibility that the next UK Parliament will not have the numbers or capacity to prevent it.

Heads of government are also set to discuss the EU's climate strategy and a target of climate neutrality by 2050 at the European Council meeting. The Taoiseach should push for greater ambition at European level than the Government has demonstrated to date in our domestic planning. Given the votes of Fine Gael and its European People's Party, EPP, allies in the European Parliament, it is very much up to the Government to prove its climate action credentials, regardless of what the Taoiseach said today. I hope the multiannual financial framework will include a significant allocation of funding for climate action.

It was suggested before the last European election that the EU would provide funding to support member states to build more housing. I hope the Government is still pursuing that proposal.

Regarding international relations, a range of external issues require greater attention and focus from Europe. The Taoiseach should join others in pushing for the beginning of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. With the UK leaving the EU, it is vitally important that we continue to show the vitality and attractiveness of the European project and its values. We also have to fill a void where both Russia and China have been heavily investing in the Balkans to undermine European influence in the region. We would be foolish not to have regard to that. The Government should also push hard for greater resources to assist migrants and asylum seekers making the hazardous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe.

In relation to the EU's economic and monetary policies, there is evidence that some governments and central banks around the world are prepared to allow further deregulation of the banking and financial sector, partially in response to the current tensions in US trading relations, including with Europe. An enormous quantity of money, which is growing exponentially beyond many people's comprehension, passes through banks and financial institutions in Ireland. Does our Central Bank have sufficient capacity to ensure that money is properly overseen and is legitimate? There have been enormous investments in Cyprus and Malta and many questions have been raised about the sources of that money. While the proportion of foreign money in Ireland is smaller as part of the overall financial sector, the quantity is of a similar scale to that in Cyprus or Malta. We have to be able to give reassurances that all the money coming through our banking system is legitimate. Any deregulation of banking and finance at European level should be avoided and the Taoiseach should resist any attempts to do so. Christine Lagarde has signalled that she wants the European Central Bank to play a greater role in climate action, which the Taoiseach should strongly support. Much could be said about European economic policy and perhaps the Government could facilitate statements on that as part of a separate debate in this House. Major decisions are being taken about the direction of travel over the next five years, which we need to debate in more detail.

The greatest threat to our economy remains Boris Johnson and the cavalier way in which he is prepared to treat Ireland's concerns about Brexit. Given that the British Labour Party is committed to a much closer relationship between the UK and the European Union into the future, I sincerely hope it is successful in tomorrow's election, as that would be in Ireland's interests.

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