Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the implications for Irish foreign policy of a Greek exit from the eurozone, and a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19328/15]

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

As the Minister for Finance has advised the House, Greece continues to be the focus of considerable contacts among EU Finance Ministers, whose most recent meeting on the issue was held last week in Brussels. The Eurogroup statement of February 20th guides these considerations and work is ongoing.

Direct bilateral trade and financial linkages between Ireland and Greece are limited. In terms of the eurozone as a whole and wider implications, the Department of Finance’s Stability Programme Update of 6 May 2015 states "While there has been no significant contagion to date, financial stress has the potential to re-emerge with the uncertainty surrounding developments in Greece. The risks of a return to global financial market turbulence could also possibly increase".

Regarding the debate around the UK’s membership of the EU, that is an issue with which I am very closely engaged. Following his re-election earlier this month, Prime Minister Cameron has reiterated his commitment to holding a referendum on the country's EU membership by 2017.

Any such vote would, of course, be a matter for the UK people to decide. That said, my Government colleagues and I have been clear in voicing our view that joint British-Irish membership has been hugely beneficial to our country and our relationship with the UK. 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. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am also very conscious of the contribution of the UK in terms of the EU's work in the foreign policy and development aid spheres.

Ireland’s 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 during the four decades we have been members together and we share a similar approach on many key policy areas. Given the importance we attach to their ongoing membership, a key priority will be ensuring that our UK partners remain fully aware of the potential consequences for Ireland and Irish-British links 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. I have also written to him following his recent re-appointment and will remain in close contact with him in the time ahead.