Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this issue. I have listened to the debate so far. I was intrigued by the tone it took at some stages, which was reminiscent of the debate that took place in the UK before Brexit. It would appear that we had decided we were going to assert ourselves in a way we had not known about before, we were going to go it alone and come up with our own solutions to issues and so on and so forth. All I can say in relation to all of this is that there are people in this House, from time to time, who say or imply that Europe is opposed to our interests. The obvious thing that comes to mind is that we are in Europe, live in Europe and are part of Europe. This is the way it is. If anyone wants to change that, they should come forward and say it. We could then be like our colleagues across the water. Before doing that, we should ask them about how much they have achieved in pursuing the line they have taken. They took their cue from Nigel Farage, who has an ongoing interest in these things. No doubt, he will come here at some stage to address those who are similarly inclined.

The opt-in and opt-out approach to this issue is not the best solution. Any situation that is in any way controversial, and this one has become controversial, where the option of agreeing or not agreeing is given, means we do not have any strength at all. It means those who want to opt in will do so when they want to and opt out when they want to, much to the annoyance of those around them. We should recognise that fact. Our best strength is in Europe and with Europe as a whole deciding to go in one direction. Deciding to go in two directions at the same time or taking the option of opting in or opting out, however, is a bad decision on the part of Europe and the member state countries. The Ceann Comhairle and I know, from having listened to similar debates over the years, that various constitutional amendments took place to ensure we stayed, in general, in step with our colleagues in Europe and, as a result of our input into particular situations, they and we would have the benefit of the strength, cohesiveness and power of the European Union at our backs. It is essential this continues.

Having listened to some of the debate during the European elections, there were many occasions when one would have had to wonder whether the intention was perhaps that we should sneak away out of the European Union and only accept parts of it that were acceptable to us. We joined the European Union to be part of it and to be part of its cohesiveness and strength. We have benefited greatly from it. There is no question about this fact. The investment we have had in this country and the power the economy has achieved in subsequent years is there for all to see. If there are those who say they will chip away at it little by little and bit by bit and we will remove what we do not like as we go along, that is not the way it works because in any union the strength is in its unanimity, obviously. At this time, I would far prefer to see a single line being taken, even on a controversial issue like immigration.

On this subject, it serves us well to say that the Irish people in general do not like to hear or see immigrants being treated badly. This is because of our own history and this is as it should be. Mind you, many of our ancestors were not treated all that well when they went outside the boundaries of this State. It serves us well to keep this experience in mind. As well as that, the issues now being seen to impact immigration include the closeness of one or other nation. Some countries closer to the danger area, for want of a better word, have decided they do not want any more people to come to live near them. Well, that is fine. I do not think it is possible for anybody to say to those around them that "Well, I am here now and I have decided I am going to be the only one here" or "I am going to regulate and dictate who lives nearby or comes to visit this country". I do not think that is the way it works or it should work that way. At the time of the prospectors in the United States, the fellow who first got to the location on a horse decided what was going to happen all around him. I do not think we should go back to that type of approach. I would like more time, but, needless to say, time catches up with us all.

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