EU reforms: David Cameron's stance is worth support

ENDA KENNY may not be the most powerful ally of British Prime Minister David Cameron in his demand for EU reforms but he is strategically important nonetheless.

The Taoiseach’s presence in London yesterday at a meeting of the Confederation of British Industry and later in talks at No 10 signify the importance Ireland places on the United Kingdom remaining within the EU.

In a speech to the CBI, Mr Kenny said that Ireland regards the prospect of the UK leaving the EU as a major strategic risk.

That’s putting it mildly.

Firstly, it would be immediately destabilising for our economy, even though some economists predict that it would benefit us in the long-term.

But is it worth the risk?

Probably not. A union without Britain would solidify the Franco-German axis that is already at the heart of most important decision making in the EU.

David Cameron is worth supporting in his quest for real EU reform. In return, he must ensure that Britain takes a far more leading role in EU affairs.

In the meantime, it would be prudent for the Irish Government to make a realistic assessment of what a ‘Brexit’ would mean for us.

To do otherwise would be to risk economic chaos.