Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)

The Dáil meets today to mark Europe Day in a signal manner. The programme for the day is as agreed by the Dáil last Thursday and I welcome to the plenary session Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. I welcome her back to this House where she served as a Member and as a Minister in a very distinguished fashion. Members of the European Parliament will attend the committee session later and I also extend a sincere welcome to them.

During the past six decades, Europe has overcome great difficulties and the divisions of the past. Together we continue to deal with any issues that arise. Not only have we a shared history of cooperation, we have a shared ambition for the future of Europe. Today, we have more that unites us than divides us and Ireland's place is at the heart of a modern dynamic and innovative Europe. For that reason, it is important that on a day like today we take the time to mark the progress European countries together have made in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Europe. National parliaments have an important role to play in the future of the European Union and national parliaments in plenary session serve as an important focus for the people on European matters. Debates such as this serve to deepen our engagement as a national parliament in the post-Lisbon treaty environment.

I now call on the Taoiseach to open this important debate.

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