Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the motion. As Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, I am grateful to the Independent Members for tabling the motion. It is very important that we have as much discussion about European issues as possible. It is essential that we in Ireland understand the issues that are currently being debated.

I disagree with the thrust of the motion. When it is said that there has been no proper discussion on the eurozone and Ireland, that is not the case and has not been my experience. Apart from discussions across the airwaves and in the media, organisations such as the IIEA and European Movement of Ireland have made sure that there have been discussions across town halls in Ireland. There has also been a lot of discussion in the House. For example, during the discussions last year on the fiscal compact treaty, we had in-depth, warts and all, discussions about the eurozone, the euro and the role of the European Central Bank. We discussed the fundamental flaws, and how we need to change them and introduce new systems and processes to protect the euro.

My committee is also examining financial integration, banking problems and integration, economic and monetary union, democratic legitimacy and accountability and political integration. We are having such debates because we all agree that the EU is at a crossroads. I agree with what the Tánaiste said. Irish and European recovery are inextricably linked. It is important that we have this debate to discuss how we got into the current crisis and how we can get out of it.

The debate we are having in my committee has had input from across our society. We have had academics such as Mr. Seamus Coffey from UCC, people from TASC, Professor Brigid Laffan, Dr. Gavin Barrett, Professor John McHale and other economists such as Dr. Alan Ahearne. We have also asked members of the media to come before the committee, and have heard from journalists such as RTE's Mr. Sean Whelan, Mr. Dan O'Brien of The Irish Times and Ms Ann Cahill of the Irish Examiner. We have also heard from people such as the head of the Central Bank, Professor Patrick Honohan, who told us his views on banking and monetary union. We have also heard from politicians such as Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP, from Dublin, Ms Emer Costello, MEP, and Mr. Paul Murphy, MEP. We have heard a range of views on this debate.

The debates we are having in the committee are open to all Members of the House. While none of the signatories of this motion has taken part in any of the debates to date, I would like to extend an invitation to people like Deputy Pringle and others to make submissions in writing if they do not want to come before the committee. We are trying to make sure as many Members as possible take part in our debates. The debate is ongoing and if anybody has any suggestions about the type of speakers we should hear from we are very willing to invite them in.

Our debates will continue until the summer and are open to all Members of the House. It is important that we have as wide a range of views as possible expressed at those debates.

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