Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015
143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Philip Hammond, and with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, in relation to the forthcoming referendum on British membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45605/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn discussions with all British ministers, I always stress the particular value we attach to the UK’s membership of the European Union. That was the case when I last met Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London on 23 November. I explained to him why the UK’s place in the EU matters as much as it does to us and outlined our determination to be as helpful as we can be in the negotiations that lay ahead. This meeting was the third formal meeting between us in the last 12 months, with the previous two meetings having taken place in Dublin. We also meet more informally at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers and in other fora.
The British Government understands our approach to their relationship with the European Union. The subject regularly arises not just in my discussions with my UK counterpart but also in exchanges between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron and between our Minister of State for European Affairs and his British counterpart. Both the Taoiseach and I have also spoken publically in Britain about the potential negative implications for Ireland of a UK withdrawal from the Union to influential audiences such as the British Irish Association, the Confederation of British Industry and Chatham House.
We are working hard as well to ensure that the Northern Ireland dimension to this debate is taken fully into account by the UK government. That is because the Government believes that the EU has been a real force for good for everyone in the North, whether in terms of supporting the peace process or by helping to create jobs and growth. I have made this point in discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, with whom I have worked closely since the summer of 2014. Earlier this month I also spoke at a conference at Queen’s University Belfast along with the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance and Personnel, Arlene Foster. At that conference, I outlined why the uncertainty of a UK withdrawal from the EU would be bad not just for the North but for Ireland as a whole.
The immediate challenge – including at tomorrow’s European Council – is to work with both the UK and our other 26 EU partners to reach an agreement that both addresses UK concerns and is acceptable to every EU Member State. While a deal is unlikely to be reached this week, we hope that the foundations can be put in place so that a solution can be achieved in early 2016.
The question of the UK’s future within the European Union will, however, ultimately be decided by the British people. While Ireland has much at stake – and the Government will continue to make its voice heard in the debate – we need to remain respectful of the democratic process underway in our neighbouring country.
