Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

It appears that, while nuances on this issue differ, most speakers share a broad consensus. We are bedevilled in terms of the Lisbon process because we unfortunately discuss only the mantra that Europe will become the most knowledge based and competitive economy in the world by 2010. That has not and will not be achieved.

The Barcelona process also has laudable objectives but the Lisbon process was cherry picked by, as Deputy Ó Snodaigh noted, those who look for the complete liberalisation of the social model we painstakingly built and who race to the bottom with regard to social protection. The Lisbon Agenda includes much more, if people take the trouble to read it. It is unfortunate that directives such as the services directive arose from the agenda but other aspects have not received attention.

The Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, and other speakers outlined a comprehensive list of measures which, if we have the courage to implement them, will result in a more competitive and inclusive society. We could develop a system closer to the Scandinavian than the Mediterranean model that some would like us to have.

The European Union today is a model of political and economic co-­operation unprecedented in world history. It is four times the size of its original membership, has competence in a broad range of domestic and international policies and clearly has not been a static institution. While it may be easy make use of 20-20 vision in hindsight, if we had the courage to allow the ten new accession countries to bed in and create a new dynamic in the enlarged Europe, I suspect we would now have a more balanced model of social and economic development than the one we are in danger of having.

European leaders faced a changing reality in March 2000, which came about from increasing economic competition from the US and Asia in tandem with an aging and declining European population. It was in this new reality that the European Council in Lisbon set out a ten-year strategy to make Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with higher employment, better jobs and greater social cohesion by 2010. Despite the fact that the target date has slipped, the objectives remain laudable and should be realisable.

It is clear the Lisbon Agenda has begun to bring about tangible benefits in our daily lives. The strategy has strengthened the EU's economy and is driving job creation alongside social and environmental policies that ensure sustainable development and social inclusion. However, today's reality is that if we are to meet our goals in 2010, which I do not think is achievable, more needs to be done now. The challenge is to see further policy implementation and increased energy in delivering the policies that will increase competition and job creation in a more sustainable way. Risks exist in rushing headlong into the issue of increased employment, such as the issues which arose from the Irish Ferries debates. We do not need to put this on our agenda because we have a model which demonstrates we can have increased employment and better jobs without joining the race to the bottom.

The programme is significant and its thrust reflects the commitments already outlined in the programme for Government and agreed to under the social partnership agreement. Earlier today, Deputies Naughten, Upton, Mulcahy and I discussed with a group of Welsh students how Wales might achieve the success they perceive in Ireland. We noted the influence that our social partnership model had in terms of delivering substantial progress and developing our economy since the 1980s. That influence should not be forgotten. We correctly place a high value on social partnership and the idea that we can only revitalise our economies and increase employment if we involve all of the stakeholders, including Government, Oireachtas, social partners and civil society. The Government and social partners recognise that international competitiveness is a necessity for income increases and social protection. They have worked together to promote complementary strategies for change, which in turn are reflected in clear national policies and objectives. This programme is no different. On a day when the Irish Congress of Trade Unions paused to reflect on whether it would enter into the new round of talks about the next round of social partnership agreements, it is wise that it and others would consider the balance of advantage that has been achieved for this society by the social partnership model. There are ways it can be tweaked. Not two programmes for social partnership have been identical. There have been add-ons and refinements, all of which have greatly benefited Ireland and its people. Notwithstanding the unrest in An Post, the danger liberalisation and globalisation present to such entities and the issues around Irish Ferries, which are a cause for concern to those who work in those enterprises, the balance of advantage lies in our continuing with that social model.

I welcome that the programme aims to encourage greater innovation and entrepreneurship across the enterprise sector. I heard Deputy McGuinness refer to that sector. I welcome initiatives promoted by the universities, the institutes of technology and organisations such as FÁS. I also refer to initiatives such as the academy for entrepreneurship in Citywest Business Campus launched by the Taoiseach yesterday, which will be linked with Dublin City University, based in my constituency, which has a record for innovation and promoting entrepreneurship. Such initiatives need to be replicated across the island if we are to have sustainable development.

Social inclusion is an important area to consider. The Government must work harder and invest more in early childhood education and in child care provision. I do not say that because I want every person who can to go out to work but rather because I want a better and more cohesive society. I want more investment in education to ensure there are fewer early school leavers.

It is great to note that the level of participation in third level education has increased in my constituency from 14% to 27%, although Deputy McManus will probably point out to me that I objected to the abolition of third level fees at the time. While I did and still have reservations about that as a policy measure, I am prepared to admit that I am not always right. More investment in education, more diversity in education provision and encouraging people to participate in adult and continuing education sector is the way we will achieve a balance under the Lisbon agenda reform process.

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