Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

European Year for Development: Dóchas

3:50 pm

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

My apologies, Chairman, for being absent. I am still trying to be in three or four places at the one time in terms of work.

The definition of sustainable development is hugely important. Who decides what is sustainable development? For instance, who decided on the targets? Was it decided by the United Nations centrally or by NGOs or politicians, remembering that politicians are accountable to the electorate and must stand before the electorate, and stand over whatever is agreed? To what extent has there been an examination of the degree to which economic change may take place that may be difficult to sell to the electorate? That is a crucial question. It applies to everyone in this country and in every other European country because, whether we like it or not, we may have the best motives in the world and may be the best inclined in the world to do the right thing, but if it does not fall into some line or area that will receive support from the electorate in the respective countries affected by the agreement or the arrangement, it is doomed.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.