Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

5:00 pm

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive report on recent events in the EU and elsewhere generally. We are told that the Bratislava summit, which took place following the Brexit vote, allowed for political reflection and consideration of further reforms. The Brexit vote was a wake-up call for all the EU. The referendum highlighted the rise of intolerance and fundamental nationalism, not just in the UK, but throughout Europe as a whole. We are all aware that eurosceptic parties are gaining support. As the Minister of State mentioned, the EU is facing many challenges - irregular migration, security and terrorism, poor economic growth and youth unemployment. There is a feeling that the EU is not delivering for its citizens. We speak of the disconnect between the EU institutions and its citizens. There are issues of poor communication, institutions are perceived as remote, Commissioners come across as high handed and autocratic, and citizens believe that they are being talked down to. Following the Brexit vote, does the Minister of State get any sense that the EU institutions, including the Council and the Commissioners, appreciate the major challenges facing the Union and the need to address these problems?

My second question is on Irish neutrality. At the summit, there was a discussion about the future deepening of the EU's common defence and security co-operation. EU leaders agreed to step up co-ordination in security measures and pool defence resources. I understand that there was also agreement that there would be further EU-NATO co-operation. Proposals are to be brought forward in December in that regard. Will the Minister of State assure the committee that Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is not being undermined in this process?

The Taoiseach informed the Dáil today of his various meetings with his counterparts throughout Europe and the presidents of the various institutions. The Minister of State did likewise in his speech. The Minister of State meets his counterparts regularly. Do they understand Ireland's unique position arising from the Brexit vote? He outlined concerns about the common travel area, the erection of barriers to trade, the erection of a hard Border and the threat to our peace process. A major diplomatic effort is needed to highlight the special position of Ireland.

Certainly from my experience of being in Brussels, it is only when one talks about the threats to the Northern Ireland peace process that they engage with the issues of human rights and so forth. I would be interested in hearing if we have a good deal more work to do in that regard, or is our message getting through?

Professor Alan Barrett contended at the recent European Symposium on European Union Affairs that a UK withdrawal from the European Union would hasten a shifting of the centre of gravity in the Union, with Germany gaining even greater influence. Mr. Dan O'Brien said something similar. Is this a worry for a small member state like Ireland and do we need to build new alliances in the European Union, with Britain exiting, to ensure our interests are protected?

With the Chairman's indulgence, I have one further question. It relates to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, which the Minister of State mentioned. He did not mention, however, that there were concerns about the agreement with respect to the possibility of corporations suing states. The fear is that there will be a decline in standards and regulation. There is a need for parliamentary scrutiny of the areas within the competence of nation states. As a political committee, we need to address these concerns.

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