Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his presentation today and offer congratulations on his elevation to the position of vice president of the EPP.

As we have often said, we live in changing times. On the refugee crisis, I welcome the recognition of Turkey and its pivotal position, a view I have always held. We have discussed the matter here at numerous meetings. Turkey is the single most influential benign force in the entire region and it is good to see that its case for European Union membership is being advanced again when it had been shunned. It is not really a great indication of the bargaining position of the European Union when it has to suddenly recognise Turkey's existence again and seek its assistance. There are lessons to be learned from this and I hope they will be.

I congratulate the Naval Service on its tremendous work in the rescue operation in the area. More than 8,000 people have been rescued since its members started their work. It is a great commendation of their training and ability to deploy without fuss and move quickly. In other situations throughout the European Union and vis-à-visour neighbours, we tend to talk for a long time before any action is taken. In this case, action was taken instantly and followed up.

I recognise and welcome the identification of hot spots to deal with incoming migrants. To what extent, if any, are the European Union and the international community devising a means of dealing with the causes of the migration crisis? The causes are obvious, namely, strife and conflict. For example, in Libya there is no law; it is a case of anything goes. It was unnecessary in the first place, but it is a clear indication that intervention can lead to a worse situation than anything that has happened before. The international community, the United Nations and the European Union should be able to come to some conclusions about what might best be done to bring about peace in Libya and at least isolate the opposing groups that are causing such mayhem.

I note the reference to non-eurozone and eurozone countries and the notion that eurozone countries should not take any action that might militate against the interests of non-eurozone countries. I would have thought the reverse was an issue that also needed to be borne in mind. As we all know, opportunities always arise for countries geographically adjacent to those with a strong currency. They can usually play and operate this to their own advantage. That has happened and will continue to happen. Of course, it can also move in the reverse direction. There is a danger that we might see non-membership of the European Union being advantageous as membership. Allusions have been made in the debate in the United Kingdom to the fact that Switzerland and Norway have equal rights and entitlements. They do not and that fact needs to be identified. If that should become the cases that those countries committed to the European project will shoulder the burden of responsibility, while others enjoy the benefits. I am concerned about this happening.

To what extent does the Minister of State think the semester process is working? There was a ten-year plan which reached the end of its cycle before it was decided that it had not worked. To what extent do cyclical reviews identify issues that might have caused problems in the past?