Written answers

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

European Union Membership

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which contingency plans are in preparation in the event of the United Kingdom opting out of the European Union with particular reference to trade between this country and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9273/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The UK’s relationship with the European Union is a matter, in the first instance, for its Government and people. I would, however, hope to see it continue to play a full and active part into the future and this is something which I and my Ministerial colleagues continue to communicate in our contacts with the British government. Like all Member States, the UK gains from its membership of the European Union, not least through unfettered access to a Single Market of more than 500 million people. At the same time, the UK also makes a valued contribution to our Union of 27 – soon to be 28 – Member States. The EU is stronger for having the UK as a Member State. From a national perspective, having the ability to work together within the Union on the many issues on which we are of like mind - the single market and trade liberalisation to name just two – amplifies the impact of our excellent relationship generally.

British-Irish relations are at a stage of maturity, friendship and mutual cooperation unparalleled in our history but it is important that the very settled nature of the relationship is not taken for granted. We continue to engage with our British counterparts at all levels across a range of areas of importance both here and in the UK. These areas are identified in identified in the joint statement on the future of the British-Irish relationship issued by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron in March 2012, and include continued cooperation on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, addressing global issues such as climate change, poverty and hunger, and working closely together as partners within the European Union. We also closely monitor all political developments within the UK on an ongoing basis.

A key priority for us is, of course, to deepen the economic relationship between our countries, for the benefit of all our citizens. The UK is Ireland’s largest trading partner and that trade underpins the jobs and livelihoods of a significant proportion of our workforce. The total value of merchandise exports to the UK last year was €15.2 billion. This represents a 6.8% increase on exports in 2011.

The Embassy of Ireland in London and our Consulate General in Edinburgh work very closely with the State business development agencies, all of whom have representation in the British market. All are fully committed to supporting Irish business in the UK. Our Local Market Team sets out a strategic plan annually for promoting trade, tourism and investment and our Ambassador in London is responsible for ensuring its implementation and reporting back to the Export Trade Council, which I chair.

Following on from the joint statement, a joint evaluation of the British-Irish economic relationship is now underway, with consultants working to examine the depth of interdependence between the economies and to identify common strategic challenges and opportunities to be addressed.

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