Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and making a logical and informative speech. It can be difficult to get the message across, at local, national and European level, during referendum campaigns. I suppose that is the challenge we all face over the coming weeks. We will have to get the message across by transmitting the relevant facts without being seen to dictate to people. We will have to ensure there is an informed debate. I always welcome the opportunity to hear both sides of any debate. There is a great deal of information out there.

We have been through quite a turbulent time. There was a general election less than a year ago. Governments have fallen across Europe. The Taoiseach announced his retirement yesterday. It is now time to focus on the EU reform treaty. It is nice to see that people are uniting to get the facts across. I do not detract from those who oppose the treaty when I say that those of us who support it need to transmit the correct facts.

The Lisbon treaty was signed in the Portuguese capital by the leaders of the 27 EU member states in December 2007. The Government has been asked to ratify the treaty in 2008 with a view to bringing it into force in 2009. I will comment on some of the issues which arise from it. A politician will be chosen to serve as President of the European Council for two and a half years. That new structure will replace the current system whereby countries take turns in the Presidency role for six months. The existing system was all very well when there were just 12 member states. We were proud to excel ourselves when Ireland held the EU Presidency a few years ago. The current structure needs to be addressed, however, as it has become a little topsy-turvy since the Union expanded to 27 member states.

I am pleased that a new post, combining the jobs currently held by the existing foreign affairs supremo, Javier Solana, and the existing Commissioner for External Affairs and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will give the EU more clout on the world stage. Such a position is needed in the context of the EU's dealings with major economic blocs like the United States and China, which is starting to come into consideration. I have always said that the US made huge sacrifices to bring a certain level of stability to the continent of Europe in tougher times, certainly during the First World War and the Second World War. However, a counterbalance to the US is needed. Just as President Bush is able to speak on behalf of a continent, there should be an individual who can speak on behalf of the European continent. While I do not suggest that the person in question should act as a dictator, it is important that one voice is heard. This development is to be welcomed. Restrictions are in place to ensure we will not have a dictator.

The treaty will establish a smaller EU Commission, with a smaller number of Commissioners than the number of member states, from 2014. There will be a redistribution of voting weights among the member states between 2014 and 2017. These aspects of the treaty represent a logical response to the expansion of the European Union. They are designed to ensure that the 27 member states work together more effectively. Ireland was to the forefront in supporting the enlargement process earlier in this decade, which has transformed the country. It has transformed the countries of eastern and central Europe and brought enormous benefits to established member states and the EU as a whole. The enlargements have fundamentally altered the shape, nature and direction of the European Union and reforms are certainly needed.

When we joined the EEC in the early 1970s, it could be argued that Ireland might have done better between achieving its independence in 1922 and that time. Our nearest neighbour, Britain, was fair to this country, but we were too dependent on the UK bloc. Any downturn in that economy was felt in Ireland. Many of us had parents, brothers, sisters and even grandparents who emigrated to the UK and indeed the United States. Membership of the EU has helped Ireland become a competent, vibrant nation and we can move on from there. We have been a beneficiary of European funds since accession to the EEC in 1973 to the tune of some €60 billion. Because of the Structural Funds investment one can leave Dublin now and be in the west of Ireland in under two hours. This would have been unheard of 15 years ago, certainly with the volumes of traffic we have. Ireland is a place in which to do business and the open market economy has helped. Completion of the Single Market has placed the emphasis on competitiveness, with the prospect of greater economic security for all. Certainly in these difficult times, economic security is a very good reason for seeking a stronger economic Union.

I am aware the reform treaty will allow Ireland to continue with its well-established tradition of military neutrality. We should be able to build on the work of our Defence Forces, as regards international peacekeeping. I was very proud during the Easter parade, 18 months ago, to see the great capacity of the Defence Forces on display for peacekeeping. It highlighted for most politicians present the great resource Ireland has in its Defence Forces. The constitutional prohibition on Ireland joining an EU common defence force remains in place and a triple lock means that no Irish troops may be deployed without Irish and UN approval, which is vital.

I read an article in The Economist recently which indicated another bloc is now on the horizon, namely, China. Within the last three weeks I have been approached by five different agencies as regards funding for various charitable works in Africa — housebuilding in South Africa, schools in Chad or whatever. Such initiatives are worthwhile and serve to illustrate Irish generosity. Europe should assist Africa in the development and utilisation of its resources. The United States has lost the concept of charity. It has gone into Iraq, I accept, but the €1 billion it spends every three days on that war could have meant an end to poverty in Africa if it had been spent there instead over the last five years. That point was made to me by an aid worker who is based in Africa. Money on its own will not solve the problem, but together with goodwill and a strong European Union, it will certainly help the situation inordinately. Europe colonised Africa and we plundered most of that continent's resources. It is now time that a strong Europe tries to help amend the harm that has been done there. There are huge opportunities and a stronger Europe can help sort out the situation in Africa.

Also, there is a new China, The Economist argues, which is putting serious money into infrastructure. China may seek to exploit African mineral resources. I have some knowledge of the mining industry and believe that China is investing in every small mining company around the world. It needs energy. Europe should be at the forefront, however, not in exploiting that continent's mineral resources but rather in working with the African nations. The Fair Trade coffee model might be employed, for instance, to enable Europe to work with these nations as partners to try to ensure they get the best possible return from their mineral resources.

The reform treaty will, I believe, improve Ireland's ability to attract foreign direct investment and increase access for Irish business to international markets. We have a growing vibrant economy and many Irish people have purchased property in Europe and are investing where they see opportunities. Some very good opportunities are to be found and indeed there are bad opportunities on offer, too, as I know from personal experience. I was one of those who bought property in Bansko. However, there are great opportunities for a resurgent Irish economy within Europe. That can only be helped by liberalising markets and ensuring more business opportunities. There is a young vibrant market there that we can tap into.

The Council of Ministers new voting system will make decision making more efficient and provide a greater role for national parliaments as regards how the Union works. It will mean we will be much more accountable to Europe and that is to be welcomed. Also, the Charter of Fundamental Rights is to be given binding legal status. Europe has edged Ireland towards a much better form of democracy. There are problems and people can say all that is being done is making green bananas yellow or whatever. However, membership of the EU has made a fundamental difference to this country and that is to be welcomed. If the treaty is passed it should come into force in 2009. However, its different parts will come into effect at various times. I urge the Irish people to examine the questions and perhaps look at the answers we are able to give. We have had a positive 35 years within Europe, we have much to offer and I am very willing to support the treaty. Ireland and the United Kingdom can opt out of EU policies on asylum, visas and immigration. Under the new treaty, they will have the right to opt for or against any policies in the entire field of justice and home affairs. This is welcome. Poland is due to sign up to the guarantees and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The treaty is cumbersome but comprises an effort to involve every country and make every country happy therewith.

Ireland is the only country committed to holding a referendum, which is to take place in June. The Irish voters rejected the Nice treaty in 2001 — I will not use the term "setback" in this regard. As politicians we did not get the message across and were very ambivalent about it. We must not tell people how to vote but give them the facts. The Irish electorate is quite sophisticated and I hope it will take on board our contribution.

It is claimed that Ireland will lose an EU Commissioner but making such a claim is to misunderstand the nature of the Commission and its relationship to the Parliament and Council of the European Union. There is no such being as an Irish Commissioner although there is a Commissioner from Ireland. It is too tribal to state the former. The 166 seats in the Dáil do not belong to individual Members, such as myself or the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, but to the people of Ireland; this is what democracy is about.

I am glad I had the chance to speak on the reform treaty. The bottom line is that it is good for the European Union, including Ireland. It certainly gives the European Union structures that can make it efficient in the 21st century. Business and life evolve and in this regard the treaty builds on what we have achieved over 35 years. It can make the Union better for all.

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