Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2013
129. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he has responded to a request from the British Government on the topic of a balance of competencies review of European Union law and regulatory regimes; if he will share the detail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39122/13]
View answerThe Taoiseach has no official responsibility to the Dáil in relation to this matter, which is within the remit of the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. We consider that the ongoing review exercise is primarily a domestic political issue for the UK, although we are monitoring the matter very closely. While the UK government has invited submissions, the great majority of EU member states have not made any at this stage. I believe the UK's interests are best served by remaining an influential member of the EU. The EU as a whole is better and stronger with the EU in it. It is also in Ireland's interests that the UK remains a fully committed member. While we disagree on some EU issues, the UK remains an important ally on many aspects of EU policy, including areas such as trade liberalisation on which we collaborated during Ireland's recent EU Presidency term.
