Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues continue to address the implications for each EU member state in the event of Brexit; if each EU member state, including those inside and outside the eurozone, remain fully committed to the European project; if the European institutions are conscious of the need to review the impact of ultra-nationalism across Europe; if there is a recognition of the need for any specific action by way of response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36314/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Taoiseach, myself and other members of this Government have stated on many occasions: Ireland remains fully committed to our membership of the EU and the Eurozone. Membership of the European Union has brought great benefits to our country and remains profoundly in our interests.

In addition to specific work on Brexit, we fully accept that there needs to be reflection and debate on the future of the EU itself, and on how to build the confidence of citizens and combat the rise of anti-European populism.

To that end, meeting after the UK referendum result on 29 June, 27 EU Heads of State and Government initiated a process of reflection to give impulse to the vision, work and priorities of the EU. At the Summit which followed in Bratislava on 16 September, the leaders of twenty-seven Member States agreed that:

“The EU is not perfect but it is the best instrument we have for addressing the new challenges we are facing. We need the EU not only to guarantee peace and democracy but also the security of our people. We need the EU to serve better their needs and wishes to live, study, work, move and prosper freely across our continent and benefit from the rich European cultural heritage.”

A Declaration and Roadmap issued in which the 27 Heads of State and Government committed to a range of objectives and concrete measures along three themes: migration and external borders; internal and external security; and economic and social development, youth. Leaders determined the way ahead with emphasis on concrete delivery for European citizens, based on loyal co-operation and communication by Member States and EU institutions. In this process, Ireland’s emphasis has remained on the economic agenda, including investment, employment, Single Market and Digital Single Market, as areas in which the EU should pursue concrete measures to directly and positively affect the lives of EU citizens.

The “Bratislava process” will continue with discussions in the margins of the December European Council and at a meeting in Malta on 3 February next and is due to conclude at a meeting in March to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

On the issue of ultra-nationalism, the rise in some states in Europe of such movements, the attachment of which to democratic means and European values is questionable, is clearly of great concern. Given its particular history, Europe has to be especially vigilant regarding the false promises of extremist ideologies with their simplistic solutions to complex problems.

Where extreme movements – of whatever political hue – advocate violent action or target particular groups in society, they must be met with the full rigours of the law. But in addition there needs to be a robust political defence of liberal values and a concerted effort to address the social and economic issues which often underlie popular discontent.