Publication

With an in/out referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU due before the end of 2017, the Irish government has stated that it will not remain neutral on the issue. In this speech transcript, Ireland’s minister for foreign affairs and trade, Charles Flanagan, advances his government’s perspective on the consequences of a possible Brexit and on the case for continued UK membership of the EU in terms of Irish-British relations. In particular, the minister 1) examines the UK government's proposals for EU reform; 2) describes what Ireland sees as some of the main obstacles in the upcoming negotiations between David Cameron and the other EU member state leaders; 3) reflects on Ireland's experience of referendums on EU treaty change; 4) discusses UK-Irish bilateral trade and Ireland’s voice within the EU; as well as 5) the potentially complex ramifications which Brexit could have for the situation in Northern Ireland.