The last #GE16 word from the parties on ... The EU and Brexit

Question: Can you set out your party’s position with regard to the general EU project, what what you see as the repercussions for Ireland of a British withdrawal from the EU and what your government would do to protect Irish interests in the event of a British withdrawal from the EU.

Thu, 25 Feb, 2016 - 00:00

Irish Examiner digital staff

AAA/PBP: Paul Murphy (Candidate in Dublin South West)

The European Union is an undemocratic project of the capitalist elites within Europe. Its real role has been dramatically exposed by the role of the European Commission and European Central Bank as part of the Troika.

They have repeatedly demanded vicious austerity policies in countries across Europe in order to protect the interests of European bankers and bondholders. They have also completely and repeatedly subverted the democratic wishes of people in different European countries. They effectively organised silent coups in Italy and Greece previously, replacing elected governments with governments of Goldman Sachs and ECB bankers.

Then during the referendum campaign in Greece last year, they orchestrated an unprecedented campaign of terror to try to force acceptance of the austerity deal, which nonetheless the Greek people rejected.

With the unfortunate agreement of the leadership of Syriza, they then effectively organised a coup against the wishes of the Greek people, expressed in the election and referendum, by imposing a further massive austerity and privatisation programme.

They are currently driving ahead with the negotiations with the US authorities for the Transaltantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which would be the biggest trade deal in the world and is a charter for corporate rights, allowing corporations to sue states if their right to profit is interefered with by labour, environemtnal or consumer regulations.

We therefore need a very different Europe – a democratic and socialist Europe for the millions, instead of the millionaires.

Fianna Fail: Billy Kelleher - (Candidate in Cork North Central )

Britain is our largest and most important trading partner. We are the only country with a land border with the UK. In addition our unique history and cultural links with the UK and position as co-guarantors of the Good Friday agreement make this decision particularly important for Ireland.

Fianna Fáil respects the Sovereign right of the citizens of the UK to decide their own future. However we are committed to sue whatever diplomatic measures required to persuade the UK to remain within the EU.

In the event of a Brexit we will ensure that our bi-lateral links are protected, North South co-operation continues and the rights of Irish citizens in the UK fully maintained.

Fine Gael: Simon Coveney - (Candidate in Cork South Central)

As we know from our own experience of referendums, it is really important that voters are well informed. Representative organisations and civic society groups have a critical role to play in the coming weeks and months, particularly in this period before the campaigns for Assembly elections get underway.

The Taoiseach has played a leading role in helping achieve agreement at the recent European Council meeting. The strong leadership shown by Ireland at EU level will be continued by Fine Gael.

The Taoiseach has already been active in speaking on this issue in London and Belfast and will use all appropriate avenues to stimulate an informed debate on EU membership in the weeks and months ahead, particularly in Northern Ireland

Greens: Eamon Ryan - (Candidate in Dublin Bay South)

Our party is pro-EU and anti-Brexit. However, we recognise that the EU is not perfect. As an all-Ireland party, we will campaign against Brexit.

In the event of Brexit, we will negotiate a bilateral agreements with the UK to minimise the impacts on the economy, society and the environment.

We will also campaign against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the EU and the USA.

Labour: Tánaiste Joan Burton - (Candidate in Dublin West)

We will:

Support Britain remaining as a full member of the EU and oppose any arrangement which serves to erect barriers between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Support a more effective role for national parliaments in questioning and proposing European legislation

Work with social democratic parties across Europe for reform of the fiscal rules for expenditure on capital and infrastructure

Encourage a strengthened EU response to the need to relocate and resettle refugees

RENUA Ireland: Paul Bradford (Candidate in Cork East)

RENUA Ireland firmly believes that Ireland's future is at the heart of Europe. However we recognise the need for radical reform of the EU institutions, particularly the secretive and unaccountable ECB.

The current crises across the world in areas such as Syria and the rise of the fascist right means we should never be too casual about the project of European integration.

We support deepening of ties within Europe subject to the principles of democratic consent and greater accountability.

The repercussions for Ireland of Brexit have the potential to be of a systemic and traumatic character.

Our preference in this regard is to focus on keeping Britain within the union; a task that is by no means impossible.

Sinn Fein: Gerry Adams - (Candidate in Louth)

Sinn Féin operates a critical engagement with the EU.

Sinn Féin will oppose and campaign against any attempts by the British government to withdraw from the EU or make its relationship more conditional.

The prospect of increased or full withdrawal by the British state from the EU, has negative implications for Ireland, north and south.

It would represent a major set-back for the political process in the north, and directly challenge the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement, as an internationally binding treaty. It would also undermine all-Ireland co-operation and harden partition.

A Brexit is opposite to the interests of local people. The combined financial loss of EU investment, subsidies and funds to the north of Ireland, and the southern border counties, arising from a Brexit would be in the region of £2.5 billion.

Earlier in the year when SF Senator Kathryn Reilly of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs published a report on our assessment of the implications for Ireland of a British exit from the EU, she made it clear that the border communities must be protected against any eventuality.

The time for action is now and Sinn Fein will be actively campaigning for the north of Ireland to remain in the EU

Social Democrats: Ken Curtin - (Candidate in Cork East)

As a party we see the benefits EU membership has brought to this country, we are also acutely aware of the down side especially in recent years when looked at in context of this country’s economic collapse.

In general terms we as a party remain supportive of the EU as long as it acts in the best interest of the people of Ireland and all the peoples of Europe, we will ensure this continues to be the case and will be vocal in opposing it when/if the opposite is true.

From an Irish perspective we are far better off if the UK remains in EU however this is now a decision for the people of the UK to make themselves. On top of other dark clouds gathering on the international scene not least the Chinese economy, even the possibility of Brexit becoming a reality further justifies the prudent decision of Social Democrats to leave the tax base as is.

In this context the proposals of others to reduce our tax intake by such a large amount sounds madder by the day and a further indication they have learned nothing from mistakes of the past.