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

I thank Mr. Kiely for his clear and factual presentation. It is useful to us to know what is planned in the year ahead. There are reasons to be optimistic over the future of the European Union. Brexit was a shock to the system but many citizens have come to realise the benefits of the European Union, both here in Ireland and in other EU member states. People have become conscious of what the European Union stands for as a result of the shock Brexit vote. However, there are threats and Mr. Kiely mentioned one of them in his presentation, namely, migration. Migration is one of the big issues the European Union must now face. In that regard, I welcome the commitment by the Commission and the European Council in respect of Africa and external investment. A new Africa-Europe alliance for sustainable investment and jobs has been announced along with a more efficient financial architecture for investment outside the EU. It is important to develop relationships with Africa, ultimately for its benefit but also to stem the flow of migration to the European Union. It should aim to ensure that failed nation states become sustainable again and grow and prosper economically. Migration has impacted on the politics of Europe and we have seen the rise of far-right parties, alongside a decline in liberal and democratic values in some states, and we must be conscious of this.

I note the "onwards and upwards" comments of President Juncker and I worry about ongoing talk of further integration. We do not need integration just for the sake of it and there have been soundings from the Franco-German axis in this regard. We need to be very careful about it and any further integration needs to be clearly justified to the citizens and must have practical benefits. Is there talk of treaty change in this context? Can all the reforms and plans be accommodated within the existing treaties? As we know in this country, referendums are a tricky business and any change has to have public support and be clearly justified.