Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn:

A Cheann Comhairle, a Thaoisigh, a Airí, a Chomhaltaí Thithe an Oireachtais agus a Theachtaí chuig Parlaimint na hEorpa, is mór an phribhléid agus an onóir dom glacadh leis an gcuireadh labhairt leis an seisiún speisialta seo den Dáil ar Lá na hEorpa ar an téama "Cá mbeidh an Eoraip sa bhliain 2020?". Is maith an cheist í. Tá mé ag súil go mór le tuairimí na gcainteoirí eile a chloisteáil.

This historic Chamber reminds us that the common purpose of Ireland and the European Union - to pursue peaceful, prosperous and inclusive progress - is grounded in democratic values. It is a fitting moment to recall the contribution over the years of many distinguished Members and former Members of the Oireachtas to the construction, enlargement and reform of Europe at critical moments in our common history. Since 1973, Ireland and Europe have surmounted many difficult and complex problems together. We have done this through solidarity, co-operation and dialogue, which are the principles on which the EU is based. That dialogue must always be honest, robust and based on facts. The manner in which we work together in Europe will play a decisive role in determining where we arrive.

Ireland's enduring reputation in Europe has been formed by a record of commitment, innovation, progress, effort and good example. Ireland's Presidency of the Council in 2013 is fast approaching. Once again, Ireland will be at the helm in Europe at a decisive moment. The finalisation of the EU budget for the period between 2014 and 2020 and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy will be among the political issues to be resolved. Ireland has often proved that it has an exceptional ability to lead and conclude difficult negotiations within Europe and to arrive at solutions that serve the interests of all the people. Ireland's previous Presidencies of the EU brokered many significant achievements. Ireland convened the first formal European Council meeting in 1975, secured political agreement for the reunification of Germany in 1990 and, as the Taoiseach said, oversaw the accession of ten new countries to the EU in 2004. This track record will serve Ireland well in 2013.

Europe needs Irish ideas, skill and experience. The great tradition of Irish European diplomacy offers us an important lesson which is being forgotten by some during the tumult of the economic crisis. Ireland's success in Europe has always been about building bridges. If the last decade of integration has been about Europe, the next one should and must be about the people of Europe. I warmly welcome the increased role of the Oireachtas in EU affairs, as introduced by the provisions of the Lisbon treaty. The recent programme for Government builds on the enhanced scrutiny of EU draft proposals by dedicating a week each year to debating major EU issues of national significance. We need informed debate about the key political issues facing Ireland in the context of its membership of the European Union. That debate should be based on facts and clear analysis.

The European Commission is keen to strengthen its ties with the Oireachtas. The Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, Michel Barnier, has attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on European Affairs to discuss the Single Market Act. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolos, has met the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This kind of political interaction is increasingly important for effective European policy making that will help improve the lives and prospects of the people of Ireland. A long list of crucial issues are on the political agenda in Europe at present. We need, for example, to improve Europe's economic performance and competitiveness, to make a decision on the new EU budget, to reform the Common Agricultural Policy, to strengthen Europe's external relations and trade policy, to boost research and development and innovation, to tackle climate change and to secure our energy needs.

If we are to build a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe by 2020, we must overhaul and reform the European economic model. Innovation is the key economic policy at the heart of Europe's programme for growth and jobs, as set out in the Europe 2020 strategy, which was adopted last year by the leaders of the 27 member states. Innovation means adding value and generating growth by finding new and better ways to use ideas, research, technology and processes to develop new goods and services that can be traded in a globally competitive market. As the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, I launched the "Innovation Union Flagship" initiative last October. This detailed programme of action, which has been endorsed by member states, aims to stimulate innovation in the private and public sectors. The flagship aims to boost Europe's research capacity and to make Europe better at translating excellent research into commercial products and services by removing the remaining bottlenecks to the commercialisation of good ideas.

These ambitious aims are supported by the world's largest public programme for research. My department in the European Commission manages the seventh framework programme for research and technological development, which is investing more than €55 billion over seven years until 2013 in areas including agriculture, fisheries, food, health, nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, transport, energy, environment and climate change. Ireland is punching above its weight within the framework programme. Some €270 million has been awarded to Irish-based organisations, which is a much larger share than would be expected given Ireland's size. This shows that Ireland is well on course to achieving its target of drawing down more than €600 million from the framework programme by 2013. In the last few weeks, the framework programme has granted €5.9 million to an Irish biotechnology group, Opsona, which is a spin-out from Trinity College, for research on organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. It has also provided funding to ensure key research to better understand people's health across the complete life cycle is carried out at UCD by Professor James Heckman, who is a Nobel laureate.

There are two sides to recovery for Ireland in Europe. The first side involves addressing the causes and resolving the consequences of the financial and economic difficulties we face. The second side involves generating growth and jobs through trade in goods and services. We need European solutions to European problems.

Europe acted quickly to tighten financial regulation and oversight by establishing new European authorities on banking, securities and markets and insurance and pensions.

Since becoming a European Commissioner, I have found that my colleagues in the Commission have been attentive, concerned and understanding when discussing the problems Ireland faces. I am acutely aware of the public mood, anger and anxiety about the future as people across the country struggle through this exceptionally difficult period. I hold regular meetings with representatives of the Government, Members of the Oireachtas and the business, farming and educational sectors on political issues of importance to Ireland in a European context. I ensure at all times that my colleagues around the Commission table are fully aware of the gravity of the problems in Ireland.

The European Commission acts as an honest broker when addressing complex political discussions in Europe. Each country in the European Union, from the smallest to the largest, has equal representation in the Commission. That said, I am deeply concerned that a broad brush attack on Brussels is turning legitimate criticism on specific issues into a populist attack on all institutions and our place at the heart of Europe. Robust criticism and debate is the lifeblood of democracy but when it comes to the vital issue of holding European Union institutions to account facts matter. The European Commission has steadfastly made the case for a sustainable solution to Ireland's acute economic problems.

Tá seanfhocal Gaeilge ann a thugann leis go leor de bhrí na cainte seo: Is maith an scáthán súil charad. Is é sin le rá, is minic gurb é do leas cara maith a bheith agat nach loicfidh ón bhfírinne a insint dhuit. Is cruthúnas ar fhíor-chairdeas go mbíonn daoine macánta le chéile agus nach mbíonn aon drogall orthu comhairle agus cabhair a thairiscint in am an ghátair.

I strongly support the recent comments of Commission President Barroso and the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn, calling for a reduction in the interest rate as part of the EU-IMF package. It is worth recalling the Commission President's comment that we "can't impose costs which are very, very difficult for our ... citizens to pay".

Turning to the other side of the recovery coin, namely, the state of the innovation economy - the real economy in Ireland - there is room for optimism. Ireland, with an open economy and valuable know-how in operating in highly competitive global markets, is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in the transformation of Europe in the age of the innovation economy. In 2010, Ireland had the second largest goods trade surplus in the entire European Union, after Germany, to the value of €43 billion. Multinational pharmaceuticals, chemicals and life sciences firms account for most of this trade surplus. However, other export sectors where domestic firms predominate, particularly food and drink, are also seeing rising exports. This bodes well.

Ireland's outstanding track record in attracting foreign direct investment is playing a key role in strengthening the country's export base at this time. Let me be clear and unequivocal about one issue raised in this respect. There can be no change in the rate of corporation tax in Ireland or any other European Union country without the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states of the European Union. This is the clear legal position, as set out by the EU treaties.

Countries such as Ireland, with its uniquely well positioned globalised innovation base, can and will emerge from the crisis with an improved economy that is ready to compete globally. With Dublin as the European city of science in 2011, there is an opportunity to showcase the open, skilled, competitive aspects of the economy, serving as an example for other member states.

On 9 May, Europeans are invited to remember that European integration is ultimately an expression about our commitment to peaceful coexistence. The road to peace on this island was forged with courage and determination. The European Union has strongly supported and underpinned the peace process through the INTERREG cross-border programme, large contributions to the International Fund for Ireland, the peace programmes and mainstream structural funds. Research and innovation also have their role to play in fostering better co-operation across the island. Last November, I was honoured to address the trade and business development meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council which aimed to develop cross-Border co-operation in applying for funding from the seventh research framework programme.

The political and economic interests of Ireland and Europe are interlinked and interdependent. If we are to maintain and create jobs and push forward to sustainable growth, we need to do so together. By 2020, if we have worked together effectively, Europe will have a world class innovation economy providing more and better jobs for Europeans. We will also be well on the way to finding solutions to key societal challenges of our time, such as healthy aging, energy security and climate change. If Europe is to reach these goals, we need Irish ideas, talents and determination more than ever.

Léiríonn stair fhada an chaidrimh idir an tír seo agus an Eoraip gur saibhre ár gcultúr, ár dteanga, ár n-eacnamaíocht, ár sochaí agus ár saol an caidreamh sin a bheith dlúth, daingean agus diongbháilte. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann muid. Go raibh maith agaibh.

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