Mr. Paul Ginnell:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to make this presentation. The consultation on the future of Europe is an important part of an ongoing debate about the type of European Union we want to have. The current consultation takes place during a particularly long and difficult period in the EU, with many social and political challenges.

Currently, 118 million of the 510 million people living in the EU are at risk of poverty and social exclusion as of 2016. I welcome that this is a 1 million reduction in the 2015 number which was in our initial submission. It has been updated since then. However, there are still more people in poverty and social exclusion than in 2010, when a target was set to reduce it by 20 million. There are other clear challenges in the EU, including the rise of far right political parties in many member states, the failure to address migration positively and, of course, Brexit. It is crucial, therefore, that the members of the European Union reflect on how to move forward towards making Europe a more equitable and inclusive Union.

The values of the EU should guide decisions on its future. These values are clearly outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union which states that the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the member states in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between men and women prevail. These values show that the European Union is not just about economic goals, but about improving the quality of life for everybody living in the European Union, while playing a positive role in the wider world. The EU must now show that its values guide its decisions and create a more sustainable future for everyone. It is only if the EU can demonstrate that it is using its values to guide its decisions that it will have the confidence and support of its people.

There are a number of clear proposals which will support a sustainable future for the European Union. The first is implementing policies which are balanced and true to its values. There has always been a tension in Europe about what the EU is and what it is trying to achieve. Economic priorities have dominated the European Union to date with little regard sometimes for the social consequences, resulting in a high level of social damage and loss of support for the EU. This has become very clear in response to the economic crisis and demonstrates that the founding values have not been given equal weight in providing a compass for the EU. However, as the overall values and objectives of the EU are to improve the quality of life of all living within its borders, all policy must be balanced and work towards a goal of creating a sustainable future for the EU. That means the EU's social, economic and environmental policies should complement each other to achieve this end. This integrated approach has been outlined in the Lisbon and European strategies, but so far has not been carried through.

This balanced approach must now apply to the European semester process which is currently the main process for economic governance in the EU but which pits soft social targets against strong fiscal rules. The use of social or equality impact assessment is an important measure as it examines policies at design stage as a tool for ensuring that policies complement and support positive social outcomes and move us closer to our social goals. This involves assessing all relevant policies for the potential impact on poverty and inequality. Impact assessment is a process which exists at EU level and in Ireland. It has been largely ineffective and lacking in transparency. The current programme for Government in Ireland has a commitment to budget and policy proofing. It is an important commitment at national level and it is therefore important that the Government ensures it is implemented.

The second key area relates to the creation of a Europe of social rights. The European Union treaties include a horizontal social clause and charter of fundamental rights. There is now also a new pillar of social rights. These show that the EU has a role in progressing social rights, so there is a responsibility on the EU institutions and member states to make the realisation of social rights a reality. This can be done in a number of ways. First, the EU must put a strategy in place for co-ordinating integrated anti-poverty strategies across the EU based on agreed targets and objectives. This strategy must be ambitious. It must be rights based and address the provision of an adequate income for everybody and access to decent jobs and quality services. It must also address income inequality and other inequalities such as discrimination. It must ensure that economic and fiscal policies are aligned and ensure adequate resources are available for their implementation.

To ensure that everyone across the EU has access to an adequate income and income safety net, an EU framework directive on minimum income should be put in place. This would outline the standards and principles which all EU member states must have in place so everybody has access to a welfare safety net that is adequate to provide them with an income for a decent life. The European Anti-Poverty Network has demonstrated the existing treaty basis for this proposal. In addition, to ensure an integrated anti-poverty strategy it must ensure the real participation of the people who are directly impacted by policies.

Another area related to creating a Europe for social rights is the pillar of social rights I mentioned earlier. That was proclaimed by the European Commission, Parliament and Council on 17 November last. The EU and its member states must work to give effect to this and use the pillar of social rights as a roadmap to bring about effective measures to deliver on social rights across the European Union. This includes through the European semester process, which is to be the process for monitoring its implementation. However, that process requires ongoing reform to make it a balanced social, environmental and economic process.

In terms of the scenarios that are presented for the future of Europe, with which one is it important to proceed? The Commission's White Paper on the future of Europe presents five scenarios, but none of these will address the causes of poverty and create a sustainable future for all those living in the European Union. However, a sixth scenario, which has been developed and supported by a wide range of EU level civil society organisations, provides a vision for a more sustainable future for the EU and beyond. This sixth scenario has been developed in the context of the EU sustainable development goals.

These goals provide an integrated social, economic and environmental framework with targets that the EU itself and each member state has agreed to deliver on by 2030. It is only if the EU implements and supports policies that move the region towards a future outlined in the sixth scenario that it can have the confidence and support of its people and have a sustainable future.

What is a challenge for the Irish Government? In the past, it has shown leadership in putting the EU on a path towards a more inclusive future and specifically by showing it must address the reality of poverty. The Government has also played an instrumental role in achieving agreement on the UN global goals for sustainable development. The Government must now translate words into action and take the initiative to guide the EU towards a more sustainable future in which it stays true to its values and focuses on enhancing the quality of life for everyone living in it while also playing a positive role in the wider world. As a priority, this means addressing the causes of inequality and poverty.