Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Riordan for his contribution and for his comments on our political contribution to the review of the Europe 2020 strategy. Deputy Durkan attended the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union, COSAC, in Rome on Monday. Ireland had put forward a number of amendments in its contribution, relating to our political contribution and what we agreed here. Some nine out of ten of our proposed amendments were accepted, including all relating to the Europe 2020 strategy. These included the use of social indicators, as set out in the alert mechanism report and the development, where feasible, of indicators that would assess social issues, such as job quality, zero contract hours and poor quality work. The contribution will be sent to the Commission and we are hopeful it will take account of it and bear in mind it is not just the views of this committee, but of the 28 committees of the European Union.

In regard to the three pillar approach of the annual growth survey, Mr. O'Riordan spoke about boosting investment and the need for member states with more fiscal space to encourage domestic demand, with a particular emphasis on investment. Ireland now has an investment spend 40% lower than in 2007. Countries like Germany have more fiscal space and the ability within their current budgets to spend more, but we read and hear they are unlikely to do so. How can the Commission put pressure on these countries to spend more? It is all very well to call for them to invest more, but unless strong pressure is put on them, I cannot see them coming to the table on this. I do not believe "calling" for them to invest will make them do so. What can the Commission do to encourage them to make these investments?