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European Union Bill

I thank the noble Baroness. I have listened to her not only here but in the other place and I have always had great respect for what she has to say. I recall when we spoke here about the help that we would give Ireland, a country of which I am very fond, and that everyone in this House, to their credit, supported that move. However, there is a big difference between helping out a friend and neighbour and taking on the same currency as that neighbour. The men and women, particularly in the west of Scotland, which I know well and which is so near Ireland, hear the stories of how difficult things became for Ireland when they entered the euro and gave up their punt. Those stories will have a big impact on any decision. I do not think that anyone, any Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, would want to join the euro at this particular stage.