Ms Vanessa Mulhall:

We see the benefit for young people in a Europe that does much more together, but economic and political decisions need to be placed in this context. Too often the EU over-promises and under-delivers. For example, we welcomed the decision of the EU institutions to allocate €6 billion to address youth unemployment and implement the EU Youth Guarantee. We heard a lot about how the Youth Guarantee would make a big difference in the lives of young people. While we welcome the fact that youth unemployment has declined from 31% in 2012 to 13% in 2017, we can see that there is still a high level of long-term unemployment, which is something we really need to work on. The implementation of the Youth Guarantee in Ireland has been disappointing. We are not the only ones saying this. We share this view with the European Court of Auditors, as shown by a recent report carried out by the court.

When the EU promises actions, it must do more to ensure implementation, and member states should work to implement what comes forth. As we envisage the future of Europe, we should look beyond the most popular or easy options to create the best outcomes for Europe and for those who will carry on this project, namely, young people. It should be a Europe where social policy and, in general, the idea of shared values at the heart of Europe are seen as important as policies on trade and economic development. The social and economic dimensions of the EU should be seen as different sides of the same coin: one cannot have one without the other. While Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union states that the EU will establish an internal market, it also states that the EU must aim at full employment and social progress, shall combat social exclusion and discrimination and shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men and solidarity between generations. This also links back to the sustainable development goals and how we aim to reach them by 2030. We need to incorporate that into the future of Europe also. These elements are what we are asking for when we call for a European approach to social policy.

Nowhere better do we see this in action than through the ERASMUS+ programme, which empowers young people across Europe to engage through mobility to active citizenship and focuses on youth work, education, training and sport. Youth work is also vital to the future of Europe as it shows that non-formal education for young people drives socio-economic progress and continues to invest in this highly successful programme. Young people should not be treated as tokens but as actors in playing out the future of Europe. We are seeing that happen today because we are here making a presentation, are part of the conversation on the future of Europe and are not taking this as a tokenistic meeting with politicians. When designing the future Europe, we want young people to be considered in the democratic processes of the Union. Europe needs to continue to fund initiatives that encourage young people's engagement in influencing policy, such as the EU structured dialogue process that I mentioned earlier and in which we have been involved with the NYCI.

The debate on the future of Europe is very important to young people. We have had many consultations with young people who say they want to be part of Europe, they like being part of Europe, they feel a connection, Europe is no longer over there, we are part of it and we can see things happening and can see the progress. I thank the committee for having invited us. There is a Youth Work Changes Lives event happening in the Mansion House next Wednesday. Everyone has been invited. It is an opportunity for young people to meet politicians from their own constituencies, for members to hear our views on what is happening on a social level and for them to engage with young people on a political level. I thank the committee for its time. Are there any questions?