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EU Membership

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Questions (45, 46)

Micheál Martin

Question:

45. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make a statement on the possibility of Britain leaving the EU. [50299/13]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

46. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the possibility of a referendum on leaving the EU when he met Prime Minister Cameron; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50125/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 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 is likely to be a key factor in whether and when a referendum may 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 similarly 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. This issue is raised in high level meetings with our British counterparts on an ongoing basis. Most recently, on 13 November last, I met in London with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Our discussions covered a range of issues including Britain’s future in Europe. I took the opportunity to reiterate our position and will continue to do so in future meetings with the British Government.

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