Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The report by the Taoiseach in respect of the Council meeting on 14 and 15 December is welcome and accurate. I attended the meeting of European People's Party leaders on the day prior to the summit, where many of the issues referred to by the Taoiseach were addressed. Obviously, the question of Turkish accession to the European Union is of considerable importance to a great number of people. There was a strong feeling at the EPP meeting, for what it is worth, that unless the Cypriot question is dealt with, it will not be easy for Turkey to proceed. As we discussed during Question Time earlier today, negotiations have been suspended while waiting for Turkey to measure up in terms of the criteria for entrance to membership of the Union. It is only right and proper that these guidelines are set, that they are adhered to and seen to be so and that the required monitoring takes place.

Agus mé ag féachaint ar an teilifís, chonaic mé baill de chuid Pharlaimint na hEorpa as an tír seo ag labhairt as Gaeilge. Thug Baill anseo gach cabhar go mbeadh an Ghaeilge ina teanga aitheanta ina mbeidís in ann a gcuid oibre a dhéanamh i bParlaimint na hEorpa. Is maith an rud é agus tugaim buíochas don Rialtas as ucht na hoibre a rinne sé leis na blianta anuas. Is maith an rud é dóibh siúd ag freastal ann, tá siad in ann anois ráitis a eisiúint as Gaeilge. I hope the situation will also improve here as a consequence. If we send our people to speak in Irish to the Europeans, perhaps we should also examine what we do in our school system.

Reference was made to the constitutional treaty. Chancellor Merkel has taken this on board to a point where she hopes the intervention of the German Parliament, with all the other members, will at least bring about a common position. The Taoiseach stated today that there is now a view within European countries that we should get back to business on the constitution and that European enlargement and the Europe of the future cannot proceed without having the constitution enacted.

Perhaps some of the elements of the constitution will be, if not watered down, referred to differently by way of declaration, which might make it more conducive to countries which currently have a difficulty in passing it. While we may be one of the few countries which must deal with this by way of referendum, I believe that the Irish people, when this is presented to them in a fully thought out and properly discussed fashion, will see its value in terms of how we proceed in Europe. When they have the opportunity, they will endorse the constitution.

There will be another two presidential elections in the United States in the next ten years, with the associated impact related to whether the American people elect a Republican or a Democrat, and what this will mean in terms of foreign relations, the conclusion or otherwise of difficulties in Iraq and the relationship with Iran, North Korea and other countries. I share the view that central to all of this is the solution of the Palestine-Israel problem. I also share the view that there should be negotiations for a two-state outcome to the problem. The issue gives a foundation to much terrorist activity in the Middle East, where it is in some cases used as an excuse. The authority of the European Union and the impact of international politics should be brought to focus on the issue of Palestine-Israel, as well as Lebanon and other countries, in whatever way is possible.

Many of the economic indicators suggest there will be a new order in the world within 20 years, with the big economies of China, India, Russia, Brazil, Japan and South Africa coming to the fore. With climate change, climate control and carbon dioxide emissions having moved centre stage in many European countries and a growing number of states in the United States, the fact that Russia has such huge reserves of oil and gas in a way leads to a new focus on international politics, given that energy is so critical for industry and normal life. These are issues on which Europe will have to focus increasingly in the future.

Chancellor Merkel stated:

We're defending this constitutional treaty although we take note that others have rejected it. . . . We have to search for compromises but we will not take a minimalist approach... We can't re-start the discussion from scratch. To all those who are always afraid of too much Europe, we have to tell them that on many points it is the rights of the member states that are strengthened. But we need to have more order on the question of where Europe is not allowed to interfere and where it can act.

It is important that we set out, on a continual basis and with a structure in mind, to communicate the idea of Europe to our people. We must engage them increasingly in debates on what it means to be European. We must give them a sense of Europe as being a real, relevant presence in their lives, not some remote, bureaucratic monolith.

I recently attended a school debate at which Europe was the issue. As a Parliament and a political process, we have failed to get across to young people in particular the value and potential of Europe and what it means and can mean. We must consider ways to make it more relevant. Ireland's MEPs do the best they can and the European affairs office and the Institute of European Affairs make valiant efforts to get the message across. We are a small, but important, element of a European Union which faces serious challenges from emerging economic powers, particularly in the Far East, such as India and China, and existing powers such as the United States. It is important that Europe is as strong as these countries. I like to think that the Lisbon Agenda, which we discussed here, will be revised and examined to see which of its aspirations we can implement.

Some concern has been expressed by the chief executives of major multinational companies here with regard to the unit cost of production and the impact of globalisation on a country like Ireland. I listened to the remarks of the chief executives of Microsoft and Intel on the cost base they must contend with here compared to that in other countries. It might be appropriate for the Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to interact with these multinational chief executives to discover what the country must do in the European context to keep our cost and unit cost base down. This issue has implications for us as other countries can offer much lower unit costs for manufacture. We need to look carefully at the situation in order to anticipate future research, development and technology requirements.

The Council confirmed that the future of the western Balkans lies within the European Union, but reiterated that each country's progress towards membership depended on its individual efforts to comply with the Copenhagen criteria. It is worth noting these criteria: Membership requires that candidate countries have achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy; the rule of law and human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; and the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. Membership presupposes the candidate country's ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union. In this regard, the Prime Ministers and leaders of various parties from the new eastern countries and the Balkan states look to Europe as their future and make no bones about stating this.

Chancellor Merkel has said there is no case for expansion of the European Union without a constitution that will be able to take that structure. This is the reason I support strongly the Forum on Europe and the allocation of resources to it. I support programmes from government and other agencies that spread the interest and understanding of Europe and what it offers.

I wish to point out to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the issue of migration and illegal immigration into the European Union was the subject of much discussion by some of the Prime Ministers and leaders of different European groups. Two years ago 17,000 people were sent back to their home countries from Holland, which caused serious trouble in Holland. France has had serious social problems in terms of integration. Last year the Greek Government arrested 25,000 people trying to enter the country illegally. Malta has had a similar problem with illegal immigrants because of its position. The Zapatero government in Spain has legalised 100,000 persons, most of whom were from the African Continent.

The point being made by EU member states is that the African population is due to double in the next 20 to 25 years. If just 10% of that population decides to emigrate or move, no one European country could withstand that challenge or pressure. The point, therefore, is that we need a fair, transparent and accountable system. For this to happen we must have international co-operation and dialogue with Third World countries of transit or origin of persons who want to move. This will involve improvement of the management of the European Union's external borders. The situation is of particular interest to EU member states. I do not know what happened at the European Council, but I am sure resourcing for this was discussed along with ideas for bringing about a fair and transparent process.

The Council also made declarations in respect of Iran, Afghanistan and African issues. With regard to Africa, Europe's position should be one of helping Africa to help itself. Corrupt regimes, serious difficulties with regard to human rights, and international politics being played in many countries of Africa mean Europe has a part to play in allowing African nations to develop as best they can. Our influence in this regard may mean we also have an impact on the movement of persons from there.

The Taoiseach referred to the issue of energy which will always be central to Council discussions. I note the most recent announcement in respect of emissions from cars. While welcome, it is a reduction on the target set originally. Ireland, as one of the biggest producers per head of carbon dioxide emissions, did not face its responsibilities or the options open to it when it decided to buy credits at €270 million per year for five years. That amounts to over €1 billion, which could have been better spent. This issue should be addressed in a different manner.

In general the Council meeting was productive and was conducted in a healthy fashion that allowed clarity and focus on some of the issues facing us. What 2007 and 2008 will hold, after Prime Minister Blair — I almost said Prime Minister Ahern — and the impact of what will happen in the United States and other countries, remains to be seen. We support the Government in the main on these issues, which are important not just for Ireland but for the Union of which we are members.

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