Written answers

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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183. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the issue of a referendum in the United Kingdom on European Union membership; if he will report on any discussions with European Union counterparts on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19120/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have of course been following very closely the debate in the United Kingdom regarding its relationship with the European Union, along with my Government colleagues. Since last week’s general election in the UK, Prime Minister Cameron has reiterated his commitment to holding a referendum on the country’s EU membership by 2017. While a referendum on the subject will be strictly a matter for the British people to decide, my Government colleagues and I have been clear in stating that the more than forty years of EU membership by the UK and Ireland have been hugely beneficial to our country and our bilateral relationship. The important role the EU has played in the context of Northern Ireland should also not be forgotten, as the Taoiseach emphasised recently in a speech in Belfast.

Our unique relationship with the UK – in economic, social, cultural and historical terms – means we have a deep interest in the outcome of this debate about that country’s future in Europe. We also value the contribution the UK has made to the EU and we share a similar approach on many key policy areas. A key priority will be ensuring that our UK partners are fully aware of the potential consequences for Ireland of any fundamental change in the nature of their membership of the EU.

I have addressed many of these points directly with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. He and I now speak on a regular basis and will continue to do so following his re-appointment to the role this week. I also discuss this issue with other EU counterparts as well as those from outside the EU. In addition to my own contacts and those of the Taoiseach and others, the Embassy of Ireland in London is, of course, very active with regard to the EU-UK relationship. Its input and reporting on this issue, together with the reports and analysis we receive from our other diplomatic missions across the EU, will continue to be of key importance.

We will work closely in the coming period with both our British and EU partners with the objective of ensuring continued UK membership of the European Union.

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