Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Taoiseach his views regarding the planned referendum in the United Kingdom in 2017 regarding a possible exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; the actions Ireland is taking, in view of the fact the United Kingdom is our largest trading partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19151/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Taoiseach his views that Ireland and the European Union should make changes to prevent the United Kingdom from leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19152/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Taoiseach if the European Council agrees that more should be done to prevent the United Kingdom from leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19154/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, together.

Other EU Member States in the EU share Ireland’s strong desire for the UK to remain a member of the European Union. The European Council in June 2014 acknowledged that the UK’s concerns need to be addressed.

The new British Government is now committed to holding a referendum on the UK’s membership of the Union before the end of 2017. Our hope is that the British people will vote to remain in the European Union.

The EU is stronger with the UK as a fully committed member. Furthermore, as I have said before on several occasions, joint Irish-British membership of the EU has played an instrumental role in bringing our economies, peoples, and countries closer together. It has also played a significant part in supporting the peace process in Northern Ireland. A UK withdrawal from the EU would therefore be harmful to our interests and the strong relationship between our two Governments.

The challenge now is for the British Government to work together with all Member States and the EU institutions to help find a consensual basis for continued British membership of the EU. This is in everyone’s interests, including those of the EU itself. It is my intention that Ireland will play an active and constructive role in any negotiation process.

Much will depend on the detail of the UK’s proposals for EU reform and we look forward to soon learning more about what the British Government has in mind. Ireland has made it very clear that we are ready to consider the merits of sensible reform proposals that could improve the functioning of our Union. At the same time, we will be equally clear if we believe a proposal is undesirable or unachievable. We want to avoid any outcome that could undermine or otherwise adversely affect our Union.

The Government is determined to do all it can to help keep the UK in the EU. But we also recognise that we must be prepared for any scenario. That is why work is under way across Government to ensure that we fully understand the issues at stake.

My own Department is leading this work, in close cooperation with other Government Departments including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Finance.