Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank Mr. Laják for a comprehensive paper and incisive presentation on the questions posed to date. We have a clear understanding.

I would like to grapple with the practicalities of delivering the vision. The vision he set out is commonly shared across the political parties in this country, which is that we want a broadening of the European family. We need to do that in a way that gives people real prospects, not puts people on what we would call "a never, never" road, which is disheartening. As of this minute, there are eight formal candidate countries, but they include Turkey which most people would regard - let me put it diplomatically - to be a long way from any prospect of accession, if it ever happens. Clearly the view of the current administration in Turkey is not pro-European. There are two further potential candidate countries, including Georgia. It is a large and diverse group of countries that have different issues that need to be resolved.

I want to focus on how we can progress the candidacies of those that are serious about encompassing, not only what Mr. Laják called the bureaucratic rules, such as the Copenhagen criteria or the European neighbourhood policy, but also the core value systems of Europe, as the maintenance of these are most important to European politicians. There is a fear they could be diluted with expansion. That has been an impediment to political systems and European populations fully embracing a speedy enlargement process for a number of countries. In essence, I am interested in Mr. Laják's take on that.

I have been in politics a long time. Mr. Laják is correct that we put up legal structures for a process of enlargement, but often exigencies and political realities overcome that. A long time ago, Spain and Portugal were admitted to ensure that countries emerging from dictatorial regimes were embraced in the European norm. Political parties, including my own - the social democrats at the time - were impactive in supporting the democratic building process, even post-accession. That was also true of Greece, where, as we know, from an economic perspective, some of the box-ticking exercises were opaque. The reality was that we wanted them in the European democratic family. My fundamental question is, how we can reassure current populations of European Union citizens that the value systems that are intrinsically part of the European Union will be maintained in enlargement? How can we set out a roadmap to ensure people in applicant countries are not disheartened and believe that the ultimate destination of full membership is achievable?