Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive report. I echo one of the points raised by Deputy Kyne. In light of the situation in Ukraine, the Commission is preparing a detailed analysis of Europe's energy security with a view to proposing for consideration in June a comprehensive plan to reduce energy dependency. I find that somewhat troubling because I would not have thought the situation in Ukraine was one that could not have been foreseen in any wider geopolitical analysis, in particular given that there has been a threat to the gas supply from Russia in the past. It is of concern that we do not have a more robust energy security policy. Is the Minister of State confident that the comprehensive plan proposed for consideration in June will be one which will go down the road of improving Europe's energy security which I would regard as a very fundamental issue in light of the very fragile recovery of the European economy in recent times which could be very significantly undermined by a significant rise in the cost of energy, for example?

I refer to the European Parliament and the issue of European identification and the identification of the citizen with the citizens' Europe. The enlargement of the European Parliament and the strengthening of its powers were part of a strategy to improve citizen engagement with Europe. To some extent, that has been a failure. On previous occasions, we have discussed not only that with the Minister of State but the rise of euroscepticism and the consistent failure of European citizens to engage with Europe. It is almost going in the wrong direction. The engagement of citizens with Europe is becoming weaker rather than stronger.

I wonder if there is an extent to which the European Parliament - although it has had more powers - is actually becoming unwieldy and fragmented. The Minister of State made the point about the significant number of current MEPs who are not seeking re-election. More than half of the new Members will be new. Given the importance of political groupings in the European Parliament with such a large number of Members, is this a serious issue in terms of undermining the capacity of the European Parliament, to do its job and to communicate with the people of Europe about its work?

EU enlargement is another issue of concern to me. The Minister of State and I have differing views which we have debated in the Seanad. I am not as confident that this is the time to engage in wider enlargement, particularly, given the geopolitical situation with regard to Ukraine. The expression, "Do not poke the bear", comes to mind. I question whether in light of the rise of euroscepticism and parties to the far right and far left we should consider whether it is time to have and to hold and to consolidate rather than to continue on an enlargement path. I fully understand that there are countries who aspire to EU membership and of course I am not suggesting that we should never proceed along the road to enlargement but I think there is a case to be made to slow down this situation, particularly until we can see some serious progress on the Ukraine and the stabilisation of the relationship between the EU and Russia. Is there any merit in that situation?