Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Getting the architecture right is the key. We must get it right in terms of the direction in which we go. We must examine structures to ensure that we will not be left in this situation for another ten years or that another crisis will occur in 20 years’ time. Urgency is required because of the difficulties that were outlined at the meeting such as what is happening in Greece, the 52% youth unemployment rate in Spain and the fact that another generation of our best and brightest is leaving our shores.

At the same time our European leaders seem to be helpless because of the views of a minority within Europe on the steps that are required to resolve the problem. Due to a possible election in another country we will not get any change in that regard. At the same time health care is being cut, people cannot get vital operations or medical care and cuts are being made to the number of special needs teachers in schools. There is a social cost to the prevarication of a minority of leaders within Europe. The other leaders are stunned into silence. I do not know whether they have a voice on Europe because if they do, they are very quiet on what is happening across the European Union.

We have clear choices about the direction in which we will go. One could ask whether we will choose more of the same. If we do, there will be social revolt right across Europe. The instability we have seen in Greece will be mirrored in other countries. There is an urgent need for a response to what is happening in Europe. This country is among those that are suffering and people cannot take much more. We must tackle the structure of the European Union but there is an urgent need for political leaders to take control. They have failed us up to now. It is their responsibility to come up with a resolution to the crisis in Europe.