Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The conclusions of the EU Presidency and the report of the summit of 15-16 June suggest a lack of leadership and direction. A sense of confusion seems to exist, as well as an inability to make meaningful decisions. This decision-making failure was revealed by the two year extension to the period of reflection, now called a period of analysis.

No audit mechanism has been developed to require members to deliver on the commitments they gave to make the EU more meaningful to its citizens. The first 12 months of reflection was not audited to determine what each member state had done to make its citizens more aware of the benefits of Europe and whether the institutions had become less bureaucratic and more democratic and responsive. The only decision made was a tentative one to hold the next summit in public so that we could observe the deliberations of Heads of State. That does not represent much progress. Unless audit mechanisms are established and directions given, member states will continue to go around in circles while achieving nothing.

At least we established the Forum for Europe, at which some good proposals were brought with regard to informing Irish citizens through Europe Day, and gave citizens the opportunity to put questions to this House by means of the Internet. What are other member states doing? When the next meeting is held in 12 months' time, it will not be possible to learn what member states have done because nobody is responsible for requesting that information. We have allowed a dangerous state of affairs to develop by extending the period of reflection from one to three years without putting structures in place. How can we address that problem? Can the Government make any suggestions with regard to establishing an implementation policy before the next summit in December?

The Minister of State indicated that 15 member states have signed the constitution and that Ireland continues to lend its full support to the process. If the Government is so gung-ho in its support of the constitution, why was it roundly criticised by other Heads of State for failing to hold a referendum?

My final question pertains to cross-border crime, drug smuggling and human trafficking. The existing regulations and the operations of Europol and Interpol, and the meetings of the Council of Ministers are not working. We need a new initiative. As an island nation we are particularly susceptible to drugs, smuggling, trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation from other countries. We should take the initiative on this.

The Palestinian question poses a further conundrum. The Heads of State decided to bypass a democratically elected Government led by Hamas. How can the unconditional support of the United States for Israel be squared with the EU decision that its aid of €100 million should bypass the democratically elected Government? Democracy must be at the heart of any national structure. What input did Ireland have on the decision?

See this speech in context