Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach if he has discussed the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union following the referendum scheduled for 23 June 2016 with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron. [14458/16]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Taoiseach his role in encouraging Irish persons living in Britain to vote to remain in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14461/16]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Taoiseach his views that Border controls will return in the event of Britain and Northern Ireland voting to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14463/16]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to, written to or met with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, regarding the UK's referendum on 23 June 2016 on a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14465/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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54. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his visit to London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14466/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Taoiseach to report on the meetings he had with Irish groups while in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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56. To ask the Taoiseach to report on meetings he had with British politicians during his visit to London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14468/16]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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57. To ask the Taoiseach his plans in securing a "Remain" vote in the United Kingdom's European Union referendum on 23 June 2016. [14470/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Taoiseach the security concerns expressed at the European Union Council at the implications of the possible British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14495/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 58, inclusive, together.

I recently spoke with Prime Minister Cameron by telephone on 6 May 2016, when we discussed a number of matters, including the UK Referendum on EU Membership.

I meet with Prime Minister Cameron regularly in the normal course of events on a bilateral basis and at European Council meetings. Our recent bilateral discussions have centred on the importance of the UK remaining a member of the EU.

When I met the Prime Minister on January 25th in Downing Street, the focus then was on the European Council on 18 February 2016 and the constructive role that Ireland could play in the negotiations. A package of reforms was subsequently agreed by Heads of State and Government which provides a strong basis for the Prime Minister's campaign for the UK to stay in a reformed EU.

This is clearly of particular importance to 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. Our Government’s position on the EU-UK question is clear: We want the UK, as our friend, closest neighbour and partner, to remain a member of a reformed EU.

We believe Ireland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the referendum: as a neighbour sharing a land border; as a partner with the UK in transforming British-Irish relations in recent years; and as a facilitator and co-guarantor, with the UK, of successive agreements aimed at securing peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

It is for all these reasons that the Irish Government is working hard to ensure that Irish Communities in the UK are aware of our particular perspective on the outcome of the upcoming referendum.

Irish citizens living in the UK will have a vote in the upcoming referendum. It is important that they are aware that they are entitled to vote and that they are fully informed on the issues.

I and other members of the Government have completed a targeted programme of outreach in Britain and Northern Ireland to Irish and Irish-connected citizens in the UK who have a vote. Last week I had engagements in Belfast and a programme of events in Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow where I engaged with the Irish community. I also attended a Summit meeting of the British Irish Council in Glasgow. However, my programme in Britain coincided with the shocking death of Jo Cox MP in West Yorkshire. Out of respect for her and her family, and in light of the suspension of the two official campaigns, I refrained from issuing any public statements about the referendum.

I travelled in a personal capacity to attend the Mayo v London game recently in Ruislip, London. Irish4Europe were launching their voter registration campaign and I met with some of the members informally in the margins of the match.

Naturally, the Government is alive to the risks associated with a possible overall leave result in the referendum.

One of the most beneficial effects of the peace process and our common membership of the EU has been the virtual elimination of the border. The re-establishment of customs checks on the border, or indeed of any customs arrangements, would be a regrettable and backward step for North-South trade and cooperation. The situation would depend on the future arrangements to be put in place between the UK and the remaining 27 EU member states, including Ireland, following a UK departure. We would certainly do our utmost to preserve the Common Travel Area. But it is difficult to imagine a situation where there would be no controls or checks on the movement of goods if the UK left the EU.

All EU partners share the view - for a variety of economic, political and social reasons - that continued UK membership of the Union is in all of our interests. Discussions on the EU-UK issue at the European Council to date were focussed on securing a constructive deal with the UK that would enable Prime Minister Cameron to recommend and campaign for a remain vote in the UK referendum, and that was also acceptable to all EU partners. Next week's European Council meeting was rescheduled to 28/29 June to allow EU leaders have a first exchange on the referendum result, to reflect on its implications and to begin to chart a way forward: Ireland is ready for these discussions. Today, I gave my pre-European Council statement to the House, where I will outline Ireland's position in more detail.