Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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23. To ask the Taoiseach if he has held any discussions with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr David Cameron on its possible exit from the European Union; the effect this would have on the Irish economy, the United Kingdom economy and relations between the two jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10918/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I recently spoke with Prime Minister Cameronby telephone on 6 May 2016, during which we discussed a number of matters, including the UK Referendum on EU Membership. We agreed to meet soon and I intend to visit Britain, perhaps on a number of occasions as my schedule permits, before the Referendum on 23rd June.

I meet with Prime Minister Cameron regularly in the normal course of events on a bilateral basis and at European Council meetings. The question of the UK's membership of the EU has featured prominently in all of our recent discussions, particularly since 2013 when the likelihood of a referendum became clear.

On each occasion our discussions have centred on the importance of the UK remaining as a member of the EU and the particular importance of this for Ireland, given that our relationship with the UK is closer than with any other EU Member State. The Prime Minister fully recognises our mutual interest in matters relating to Northern Ireland, the importance of a reformed, more effective European Union, the Common Travel Area and our strong economic ties.

The Irish Government has been very active in our engagement with the UK Government, and with our EU partners, in outlining our concerns and our interests in this matter.

Irish citizens in the UK have a vote in the Referendum and it will be important that the Irish government's position is clearly understood. In this context, a number of Government Ministers will make visits to Britain in the coming weeks, in cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow where there are strong Irish communities.