John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their very detailed contributions. It is interesting that we are dealing with an all-women delegation. EU statistics show the high rate of unemployment among women. It is interesting that youth unemployment is extremely high in the EU with approximately 20.8 million people currently unemployed in Europe. Youth unemployment in Greece is running at about 56%. I have always believed that in tough times of austerity, whether in Ireland or elsewhere, that women are always at the coal-face. I am sure many Deputies and councillors have noted that women are either forced out to work or cannot find work or they must work and then deal with child care when they come home. We underestimate the levels of poverty that affect women right across Europe, those in the workplace and women who are not working. I congratulate the delegates on the superb work of their organisations, Active Retirement Ireland and the ICA across the country. I have connections in Waterford with those organisations and they do superb work.

Have the organisations formed contacts with other groups across Europe such as with women's groups or groups representing young farmers or farmers, countrywomen's associations, active retirement groups and youth groups? At this stage it is very important for all of us. It is okay for politicians meeting politicians which happens regularly across Europe. However, it can be difficult for us to meet ordinary, everyday people unless we go to Europe and I have been to many countries in Europe, including Greece, over recent years. Have the delegates been to the European Union and met all our MEPs? I hope they have. Are there similar groups in Europe with which the organisations could interact? I imagine this would be important in the next number of years. I know that opinion polls swing up and down with regard to Europe but there is evidence of a disassociation from Europe on the part of many people. I am not making a political speech but we could be in serious times if the Conservatives are elected in England. I have been to London and to the Houses of Parliament. Even some Labour MPs are advocating that the UK should get out of Europe. Therefore, it is not a foregone conclusion that Britain would not pull out of Europe in a few years time. I do not think they will but I see it as less than 50:50 as it stands. However, organisations more so than politicians have a better chance of meeting ordinary, everyday people who work across Europe. The delegates may be doing this already but it would be very interesting if groups like those here today were to meet up with groups from various countries in Europe. Perhaps an annual meeting could be arranged to share figures and assessments. The delegates could then report back to this committee on the people they met who are in the same situation as women in Ireland. I thank the delegates for their detailed contributions.