Ireland can be a link between UK and EU in talks, says Kenny

Ireland can serve as an important link between Britain and the European Union during David Cameron's renegotiation of his country's relationship with Europe, but cannot back all of Britain's demands, the Taoiseach has said.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after a meeting with the prime minister, Mr Kenny stressed Ireland’s commitment to remaining part of the euro zone and at the heart of the EU.

“I would remind you that the Irish people voted in the midst of the recession for the Fiscal Stability Treaty, 60-40 in favour, linking our future to the euro and the euro zone and the European Union,” he said.

“But we are the only English-speaking country in the euro zone and therefore an important link for Britain with Europe. So we cannot support everything but insofar as we can we will be constructive and supportive in respect of what the prime minister has been asking for.”

Earlier, Mr Kenny described the prospect of a British exit from the European Union as “a major strategic risk for Ireland”.

Addressing the annual conference of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in London, Mr Kenny said he believed it was in Britain’s own interest to remain in the EU but stressed that Britain’s decision was a matter for its own people.

‘Share our perspective’

“But I think it is right – as your friend, closest neighbour and the only EU partner with whom Britain shares a land border – to share our perspective with you.

“The Irish Government’s strong view, backed up by independent economic research published last week, is that a Brexit is not in Ireland’s economic interest,” he said, adding that the research showed adverse impacts in areas such as trade, energy and the labour market.

The Taoiseach said the EU had been an important, perhaps underestimated, enabler of peace in Northern Ireland, instrumental in facilitating constructive contact and building trust between the governments to find a political settlement. All-island economic cooperation could be more difficult between two states that were not part of the EU.

“The EU provided almost €2.4 billion in funding over the period 2007 to 2013 to help Northern Ireland overcome the challenges of a peripheral region that has emerged from conflict,” he said. “Common membership of the EU project is part of the glue holding that transition process together . . . So I have no doubt that continued British membership of the European Union is good for Ireland and for relationships on these islands.”

Mr Cameron is due to outline his demands for a reformed relationship with the EU in a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk today. The Taoiseach said Ireland shared the prime minister’s priorities in economic policy, where Britain is seeking further market liberalisation within the EU and more trade agreements with the world outside it.

Greater flexibility

Addressing the conference immediately ahead of the Taoiseach, Mr Cameron said that, if Britain’s EU partners agreed to his reform agenda, he would campaign vigorously to remain in the EU.

He said the question the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU should address is how Britain can be stronger and more prosperous. He said his essential demand was for greater flexibility, so the euro zone could integrate more if it chose to but that Britain should not have to follow suit.

“What I want is a live and let live Europe, a flexible Europe,” he said.