Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions, he has had with his European counterparts in relation to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45308/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Fianna Fáil values the key role that Britain plays as an ally and friend of Ireland in the European Union. We will be vocal in supporting the UK remaining as a full member state of the EU. We believe it would be a political and economic disaster, both for Ireland and Britain, if Britain exited the EU. It would also have a serious impact on British-Irish trade. We must also factor in the Northern Ireland dimension to this debate.

While we do not agree that the four freedoms of the EU should be compromised to ensure that Britain remains in the EU, the Union must show some flexibility in other areas when engaging with Britain to prevent an exit where possible.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Although the date is not yet known, Prime Minister Cameron has confirmed that before the end of 2017 a referendum will be held in the United Kingdom regarding their continued membership of the EU. The final decision on the matter, therefore, lies with the UK electorate.

As independent studies have shown, a UK exit from the EU has the potential to be most damaging for Ireland. The reasons for this are well documented. A UK withdrawal would likely have a significantly adverse impact on our economy and could also be unhelpful both for the peace process in Northern Ireland and British-Irish relations more generally. Furthermore, Ireland does not believe that a UK departure from the European Union is in the best interests of the EU itself.

Ireland is not, however, the only EU member state that highly values the UK’s place in the EU. It is widely recognised across the Union that the EU is better and stronger on account of the UK’s EU membership, whether because of its strong economy or the influence it wields on the international stage. This is why none of our EU partners wishes to see a so-called “Brexit”.

For these reasons, through the ongoing negotiations process in Brussels, the Government is committed to doing all it can to help ensure the UK remains in the European Union. It is therefore no surprise that the EU-UK relationship features significantly in discussions I have had with my European counterparts, especially in the margins of meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. This is the same for the Taoiseach, the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Dara Murphy, and many other Ministers in the contacts they have with their respective counterparts. The subject is also consistently raised at high-level official meetings, while I would add that Ireland’s embassies across the EU, and further afield, also remain actively engaged on this issue.

Given our close ties with the UK and its government, EU member states often wish to know our views and where we stand on Prime Minister Cameron’s EU agenda. Our response has always been to confirm that we believe it is in all our mutual best interests that the UK remains in the European Union, and that we will continue to be constructive and flexible in the negotiations process, while respecting the fundamental principles of the Union.

Equally, we use every opportunity to explain to our European partners why UK membership is particularly important to Ireland, especially at it relates to our economy and to Northern Ireland.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are over time but I will allow one supplementary comment.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. I also thank the Minister for his reply. We must have a better national debate on this issue throughout all of our island because it is of critical importance. We do not want to see the nightmare again of passport controls and customs posts on the Border between North and South in this country. Peace funding provided by the EU has been critical in building a better society in Northern Ireland, as well as improving North-South and east-west relations.

Both governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, so there are many issues in which we have a common interest. We need to work together in the EU in this regard. Our party is fully supportive of engaging in dialogue on the need for Britain to remain in the EU. We have a selfish, strategic interest in this. Of course, it is up to the British people to make their own democratic decision, but over the centuries successive British regimes and governments did not mind involving themselves in Irish affairs either.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The positive impact the EU has had in Northern Ireland is often overlooked and forgotten. That is why I have been very clear - most recently in a speech at Queen's University in Belfast - in explaining why I think a UK withdrawal from the EU would be bad for Northern Ireland. For a start, the EU has helped to foster peace and reconciliation, and has provided a framework for co-operation between North and South, as well as between unionists and nationalists. In essence, it has provided an uncontested setting in which both traditions in Northern Ireland have found expression in a wider Union of which we are all members. We should not underestimate for one moment the security and stability that this brings, and how much the EU has underpinned the peace process.

Northern Ireland is already on the edge of Europe. Despite that, it has done a good job in managing to attract foreign direct investment. However, a vote to leave the EU could hamper its access to the Single Market and potentially reduce its attractiveness.

I agree with Deputy Smith that it is vitally important for us to engage actively at every level to ensure that those participating in this referendum, who will ultimately make a decision in the polling booths, are fully informed as to the consequences. That is why Ireland will avail of every opportunity to highlight the importance of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.