Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is important to recognise the impact President Sarkozy has had as President of the Council. His actions show what someone can do when they are really focused and have an agenda to follow. On his visits to Georgia, China, Ireland and the United States President Sarkozy displayed a sense of urgency and direction.

I noted with interest the remarks made by the British Chancellor, Mr. Darling, when the current financial crisis arose. He stated the time had come for the European Union to react as the European Union. Despite all the Euroscepticism in many spheres in Britain, when problems arise, people focus on the capacity of the European Union to respond.

In the context of the Lisbon treaty which my party supports and wants to see endorsed and passed and what Ireland must do, there is a lesson to be learned. The reaction of the European Union to the difficulties in the banking system, problems of liquidity and solvency and the need to create a flow of credit in order that businesses might continue to operate was both swift and decisive. The financial crisis is not over by any means but the European Union responded.

Instead of the other 26 member states waiting for the Irish to make up their minds on how we should proceed, they should focus on a number of other areas and make decisions on the direction to be taken in respect of each. I refer, for example, to energy security, which is critical to business interests in Ireland. The committee chaired by Deputy Barrett is doing good work in examining matters relating to interconnectors, wave and wind energy and renewable resources. It would be extremely important to business interests if the European Union were to adopt a stance and state it would guarantee energy security for all 27 member states. This is another reason Ireland should continue to be central to the European process.

Immigration, as an issue, has always been swept under the carpet. At least, we have had the courage to discuss it openly and in a rational way. When the Taoiseach was present at a formal meeting of the Council last year, I attended a meeting hosted by the European People's Party at which comments were made to the effect that if the population of Africa doubled in the next 20 years — which it will — and if only 10% of young males from that continent decided to emigrate, no country in Europe would be able to withstand the immigratory pressure.

There have been different responses to immigration. For example, Greece and Malta sent people back to their home countries, while the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. Zapatero, legalised 100,000 immigrants. There will obviously be a need for services in the European Union to be driven forward during the next 20 years but an issue arises. A structured response is required to immigration and it must be fair and disciplined and in the interests of member states and immigrants. This is a matter on which the European Union can provide a response.

The third issue that arises is that of climate change. The European Union can set out its stall in this regard. Ireland has always been disposed towards taking the interpretation of directives to the ultimate in the first instance and this has given rise to difficulties later.

I am going to inform people that those in the European Union should not sit around and wait. In fairness, they will probably not do so. On the issues to which I refer — energy security, engaging in a fair and broad response to immigration, climate change and the financial crisis — the European Union can outline the reasons people should remain part of the European process and project. The Millward Brown poll indicated that 70% of people believed the European Union had been good for Ireland and that 60% believed the country should remain part of the central agenda. The question is what we can do, when examining the relevant issues, to ensure these two factors remain in focus.

The European Union can respond by indicating the reasons Ireland should want to continue to be part of the project to create jobs, encourage investment and foster research and development opportunities in order that young people might fulfil their dreams and enjoy life. That is what the future should be and we should not look toward it with fear. There are great sources of hope and inspiration, on which we should focus when considering the reasons for remaining part of the European project.

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