Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

160. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the British Foreign Secretary Britain's continued membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36143/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland and the UK have strong historical, cultural, political and economic ties. Working together within the European Union for over more than forty years has further strengthened and deepened those links. While no two member states have identical positions across all policy areas, we share common interests with the UK on many issues of major importance.The Irish government wants to see the United Kingdom remain at the heart of the European Union. We believe that the EU is stronger on every level with the UK in it, while it is of course in our own national interests that the UK continues as a fully committed member. This Government’s position in relation to the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union is therefore clear and is regularly communicated to the authorities in London at both political and official level. As part of my own contacts, I expect to meet soon with the British Foreign Secretary and this issue will be among the priority items for discussion.