Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to address the Dáil on Europe Day 2012. It is easy to forget what is positive when times are hard and today I want to focus on the benefits the EU has brought us. Then I will speak about the challenges we face to maintain our work in Europe in one of the most commendable agendas, overseas development, and I will outline the opportunities for the Oireachtas during the Irish Presidency next year.

We all know the benefits the European Union has brought to Ireland, Europe and the world. It has been a force for good since it came into existence. When hopes of European co-operation first took off, we were recovering from the Second World War, which almost brought the Continent to the point of self-destruction, with millions of people killed. People of previous generations were used to living with the threat of war looming over their everyday lives. In the past 70 years, a short period, this has changed completely. We struggled initially and, until 30 years ago, Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain and torn between two conflicting ideologies but today we find ourselves in a different place. Now, children struggle to believe how Europe was. Before speaking here, I spoke to schoolchildren from Ashbourne. We spoke about how, 30 years ago, we needed visas to get into countries like Poland and Czechoslovakia, as it was. I told them about my experience in the 1980s walking through Checkpoint Charlie in a divided Berlin. It is difficult to understand how far we have come in a short period of time.

Europe has also been beneficial to us in Ireland. European involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process was instrumental in ensuring we reached a point where we could sign the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The peace that was difficult to imagine at home and throughout the European Union is now a reality. The European project has resulted in our continent being seen as an example of peace and co-operation.

We must not just celebrate our internal successes but also the positive impact Europe has had throughout the world. In overseas aid, Europe has built up an international reputation of which we should all be proud. Our programmes have brought benefits to many people throughout the developing world. Some will argue that we should reduce these programmes when we are in hard times in Europe but in times of difficulty we reveal who we really are. We must ensure that Europe's aid programmes continue to help those who need it most.

As we get ready for the Irish Presidency of the European Union in January, we must make sure the Oireachtas plays its part in shaping the agenda. With the EU having a greater impact on our day-to-day lives, national parliaments must step up to increase awareness of the European Union. It is a great opportunity next year to do just that. In the six months of our Presidency, there will be many interparliamentary meetings in Dublin and throughout the country. We must use the coming months to agree our priorities for the Irish Presidency. I mentioned our involvement in the overseas aid programme and I want to see the Presidency focus on employment, particularly youth unemployment. This is a major issue for Ireland and throughout Europe. We can use our time between now and then to plan. Deputy Shane Ross says he wants to see some detail and so do I. I want to see the detail and meat on the bones of what we can hope to achieve on youth unemployment throughout our Presidency.

Tomorrow, the Joint Committee on European Union affairs will mark Europe Week 2012. Mr. Brendan Halligan will appear to outline his vision for Europe for the next 20 years. We must celebrate the benefits of Europe in Ireland and beyond and use this to move forward and bring better prosperity, continued peace and harmony for the people of Europe.

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