Mr. Colm Markey:

I thank Senator Ward for the question. We all referred earlier to the solidarity that Ireland received in the whole Brexit debate. That is something we can certainly reflect upon as to the importance of smaller countries. During the Conference on the Future of Europe debate, it is vital that the smaller countries still have a very recognised voice and are supported because they are the vulnerable ones.

That brings me back to my point about the global response. If one responds by allowing superpowers to dominate, vulnerable smaller countries are left behind, are exposed and frankly get rolled over. We need to get away from the world of superpowers and China is now a superpower. If we can get a global response and invest in institutions like the UN, as opposed to putting power blocs in place which undermine one’s position, that is very important. It is vital that we invest in a global response on issues as opposed to looking at having a vested interest in a superpower. It is very important that we talk about this superpower scenario at a time when America is taking a step back and Europe is looking at where to go. The Senator’s question is very relevant. In respect of China, which can be very different in how it approaches these things compared to how we would understand them in Europe, a response at European level needs to show, similar to Brexit, that we care for and put our arms around smaller nations. Second, we need to do something on a global basis that gives the status of smaller countries a meaningful place in the world and does not allow what essentially could be four or five superpowers to dominate the global future.