Ms Noelle O'Connell:

Deputy Richmond asked about the traffic light system and whether there has been any real engagement. It is fair to say, as both Mr. Kiely and I noted, that in the early days, with no guidance or co-ordinated response, member states acted in an ad hoc and disparate manner. Various travel restrictions were introduced on an individual basis and there was a lack of co-ordination. Now, however, with the guidance we hope the co-ordination will engender, the traffic light system will be welcomed by all member states once it proves practical and workable. It is very difficult to talk about it against the backdrop of the second wave. The challenges that many EU member state public health systems currently face are incredible. Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that the traffic light system has been agreed to at Council level, so it has been agreed to by member state governments and leaders. There is buy-in, therefore, and hopefully, once we navigate our way through this second wave, the practical impacts of this co-ordination at member state level will prove beneficial to all EU citizens. That is the fervent hope and wish of us all.

We need to examine whether health competences need to change and whether that will lead to another EU referendum. Deputy Howlin mentioned the fiscal stability treaty and the stability and growth pact. Change needs to happen and we need to consider it but, as Mr. Kiely outlined, the EU can do a great deal more. We may not necessarily need to go straight to a treaty change, although that is probably inevitable at some stage. Judging by all the polling, including our European Movement Ireland-Red C polling, there is demand for greater co-ordinated and concerted activity and consistent engagement by the EU to mitigate the worst impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on our citizens. When I was preparing for my presentation, I was struck by the relatively consistent level of support throughout member states for the EU to do more. We have to consider this against the backdrop of the Conference on the Future of Europe. This topic will, one hopes, be addressed there because we need to examine the medium and long-term future of the EU and the institutions, making it a more efficient, fairer and sustainable European Union that works for all its citizens.

Earlier this year in our Red C poll when we asked people in Ireland whether they believe their voices are heard as citizens of the EU, I was really disappointed with the results. Only 33% agreed and felt their voices were heard as citizens of the EU, with the majority of 48% saying they did not. Frankly, that is good enough and we need to work on it to ensure that, as part of the responses to the Covid pandemic, we will work to engage all citizens throughout the EU member states to work collectively and to ensure that people's concerns, views, opinions and perspectives are heard and taken into account in the outcomes and engagements of the Conference on the Future of Europe.