Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am in a minority in the committee on this issue. I will be opposing the Minister's proposal, and I will expand on the reasons for that if I get the chance. It is not that I or my party, Sinn Féin, are opposed to the attempts to expand the EU. Association agreements are supposedly aimed at bringing countries closer to the EU politically and economically. However, moving closer to the EU in these ways requires the countries concerned to move away from other models. That is part of the difficulty. Deputy Smith spoke about the timing of this. I think the timing is all wrong and particularly bad if one looks at what is happening in that part of the world and the difficulties that have arisen there. One could ask when would be a good time. Would the Minister accept that the agreement will force countries to make economic changes based on privatisation and market liberalisation? It is not simply a trade agreement aimed at mutually reducing tariffs or increasing trade. It will lock countries into an economic paradigm on the chance that they will get a shot at gaining EU membership. Does the Minister accept that there is EU fatigue across Europe when it comes to enlargement? We are selling this proposal down the line but it is unlikely that enlargement will be the result.

It is obvious why people are looking towards the EU because they see it as progress. They are caught between the EU and Russia and the latter reminds them in many cases of a negative past. The break-up of the Soviet Union was economically crippling for many of these countries and the EU presents itself as a modern partner with unlimited opportunities. If we look more closely at what is happening in Europe, however, youth unemployment is 53% in Spain, 43% in Italy, 44% in Portugal and 22% in Ireland, as well as there being emigration.

It is not a case of being opposed to any new trade agreements, once they are based on simple mutual benefit and do not force countries into so-called economic reforms aimed at selling the countries' resources and state services to the highest bidder. That is what I have a difficulty with in relation to this agreement. Would the Minister not accept that, unfortunately, these type of association agreements force these countries to throw their lot in with the EU or else put up with Russia's heavy-handed response? That is the difficulty I have. The offer of EU membership is always hinted at but never explicitly promised, so they are caught economically and tied to the EU while outside the bloc. Is there any explicit promise of or a framework for future EU membership in these agreements? It is important that we be truthful and honest with people in this regard.

There was a lot of criticism of the speed at which the EU was enlarged to include Bulgaria and Romania. I know there are talks with other countries and they are hopeful that will happen. I am not opposed to the accession of new countries but I have serious concerns about and objections to EU federalism, the EU democratic deficit and the loss of member state sovereignty. That is the debate that is taking place in many countries across Europe. I strongly welcome that these issues are being debated strongly here and that the committee has the opportunity to do so, although I would probably like to have a lot more time for the debate.

Does the Minister agree that some time should be set aside in the Dáil to debate this issue in greater detail? The committee structure is useful but this issue requires a wider debate not only in the Dáil but in the Seanad.