I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 96 together.
Prime Minister Cameron stated in a speech on 23 January 2013 that the Conservative party manifesto for the next parliamentary elections expected in 2015 will seek a mandate for a Conservative Government to negotiate a new settlement with EU partners, and that if a Conservative Government is elected, it will put such a settlement to a referendum in the first half of the next Parliament – i.e. by the end of 2017. However, as other political parties have not made equivalent commitments, the outcome of the next British Parliamentary elections may be a key factor in whether and when a referendum will take place.
In his speech, the Prime Minister set out a strong case regarding the importance of the UK’s continuing and active membership of the Union. I welcome that strong commitment. I note also that the leaders of the other main political parties in Britain also support the case for continued membership.
In terms of the Irish position on the current debate in the UK, I firmly believe that the UK is better off within the European Union, and that the Union is stronger by having the UK within it. The UK is Ireland’s nearest neighbour and largest trading partner. For this and many other reasons, it is in Ireland’s interest for the UK to remain in the European Union. I have stated this clearly on a number of occasions, most recently on my visit to London last week where I met Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. My colleague Minister of State Donohoe met with his counterpart in London earlier this month. Contacts between Dublin and London will continue on an ongoing basis.
The question of the British relationship with the European Union is, in the first instance, a matter for Britain itself. We know that other Member States are also watching this debate closely and I can confirm that the UK membership issue has arisen in bilateral contacts we have had during the year. However, there has been no collective evaluation of the implications of a potential British withdrawal. Such an evaluation, at this stage and in view of the uncertainty regarding the possible outcome, would be seen by many to be premature.
The UK remains a key partner for us in the European Union. Ireland’s prosperity will always be closely linked with deepening and enhancing the economic relationship with the UK, which remains our largest trading partner. Along with the UK and other Member States, we have a shared interest in making sure that the Union is properly equipped to meet the challenges of the future.
