Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our colleagues from the European Parliament and you, Chairman, for organising this discussion. I particularly compliment Ms Costello, MEP, and Mr. Mitchell, MEP, on addressing the issues that affect Europe at present - not just one country or one part of the social strata, but all of the people of Europe collectively. That is critical from the point of view of responsible representation among politicians throughout Europe. At the level of the European Parliament, at national level and at local authority level it is vital to have people who accept representation with responsibility.

I have not heard a dissertation in a long time with which I disagreed more profoundly than what I heard from Mr. Murphy, MEP. That is not a reflection on him but is a reflection on the extent to which he has been misled by misleading propaganda and the extent to which he in turn misled the public throughout this country and continent with particular reference to the European Union. There have been a number of references to Keynesianism. I read a little bit about Keynesianism as well. As I have mentioned previously, my mother lived in the United States in the 1930s and we learned much about its failures and the numerous attempts to revive flagging economies at a particularly difficult time. It is amazing how some elements in that equation have disappeared over the period and only the most acceptable elements are now being transmitted. It is unfair to select quotations from people such as President Barroso as a means of emphasising and advancing a political agenda.

I accept that Europe has many faults at present and we have all been critical of Europe. Europe's fault has been the inability of member states to move in the one direction at the same time, to act in unison, to support each other in solidarity, and to be helpful and supportive of each other socially, politically and economically. Europe needs to redefine its vision - something we have discussed many times. In an economic crisis it is difficult to tell the people the truth. It is very easy to opt out and to take the easy options.

It is much easier to avail of the àla cartemenu and promulgate it as a resolution. It is not a resolution but a disaster. An iconic message that could emanate from what Mr. Murphy has said to the young, middle aged and older people across the country is the image of anarchy that is on the screen. It is utterly appalling. Whether one likes it or not a great number of people in the country resile from the ongoing message of hardship and misery, the promotion of the notion that Big Brother is out to get them and that somebody somewhere intends to do them down. It is wrong, misleading and does Mr. Murphy a great disservice. He is a young Member of the European Parliament who will face an election in the not too distant future when all of his theories shall be tested. Generations of past Europeans have been misled at different times and junctures by different people with different ambitions and ideals. I appeal to him to desist from going down that road because it is not in the best interest of the Irish people, the people of Europe or society. It is definitely not in the best interest of Keynesianism.