Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

Go raibh maith agat. I offer the Government and its Ministers every good wish as they take on the Presidency of the EU. We are doing so at a very troubled time not only in the economic affairs of Europe, but also in its democratic affairs. We have to persuade the member states there is a better way to deal with the problems of both Ireland and of Europe during our Presidency.

I will spend most of my five minutes talking about agriculture because that is my brief but will also speak, briefly, on a number of wider issues. On agriculture, Ireland's Presidency, which begins next January, provides a big opportunity to gain agreement on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. None of us underestimates the importance of Irish agriculture to the economy. It provides jobs not only through actual farming, but through manufacturing, food processing, transport - so many different areas. It is a vital industry and it is of vital importance that Ireland gets a good deal from the CAP negotiations. Ireland's Presidency should be used to encourage debate on reform and to push our agenda on this issue. From listening to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, I have no doubt he will push it along.

However, there are some very clear warning signs in this regard. The current economic crisis gripping Europe, coupled with the crippling austerity measures being imposed throughout the EU member states, may see a delay in the agreeing of the overall EU budget, the progressing of the CAP reform talks and the reaching of agreement on the CAP budget. The CAP negotiations are likely to be very divisive because each member state will push for an agreement that best suits its economy. We need to position ourselves and work with the other member states, particularly during the Presidency, to ensure we have as many friends as possible who understand Ireland's position in regard to CAP reform and the overall CAP budget. That is why it is essential that as much progress as possible on CAP reform is made during Ireland's Presidency.

During the CAP negotiations it is also important there is a close working relationship between the Ministers for Agriculture in both the Twenty-six and the Six Counties. We have a shared future in agriculture between North and South which must be developed and exploited. It is important that both Departments work together to further the shared goals of farmers on an all-island basis. There are very many mutual benefits to be gained for farmers in the Six and the Twenty-six Counties and the Ministers' role in the talks must reflect this. We encourage very close working relations with the Department of Agriculture in the Six Counties.

On a wider note, the European Union is increasingly becoming a less democratic, more centralised and autocratic union of states. The move towards autocracy will accelerate if the austerity treaty is passed in its current form on 31 May. Unelected and unaccountable officials will be able to determine the levels of income, taxation and public services available to citizens of Ireland and the other EU states. This move towards centralisation must be resisted during Ireland's Presidency of the Union. I say to the Minister of State I am not encouraged by some of the statements issued so far to think the Government will take this role, which I believe is necessary, not only for Ireland but for all EU member states.

It is time for Ireland to take an assertive stand in its relationship with Europe. The Presidency of the EU should be used as an opportunity for proper engagement and as a move to work towards a more democratic Europe. It is time for Europe to engage with citizens, listen to them and heed their voices. It is time Europe started looking at and working for an economy that works for people rather than have people working for an economy.

Am I all right for time?

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