Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

We see the endorsement of the idea of a multi-speed Europe which is a reflection of the crisis within the European Union. It is also a reflection of the crisis of the so-called extreme centre which has borne within it the extreme right that we currently see. The reality is that the EU is an institution that was founded, and which has acted, to enhance the interests of imperialism and big business on a global stage but none of that will be mentioned in this declaration.

The road being pushed forward is a two tier or multi-speed Europe but the reality for ordinary people is that there have always been two speeds or two tiers in Europe, with the fast lane reserved for bankers, big business and privateers who take precedence over the victims of austerity, namely working class people and migrants. We see this taking place in particular with regard to the militarisation of Europe, which this Government refuses to acknowledge. In the last few months we have seen the speeding up of a process of militarisation and military co-operation in the EU. In the last six months the EU has taken decisive steps towards militarisation with its proposals for a common military research and development budget and for 2% of the GDP of each member state to be spent on the military. The Taoiseach has continually tried to avoid the issue by saying the Dáil and the Irish Government have a veto on the deployment of troops. That is a pathetic excuse which amounts to tacit support for the militarisation of the EU, in the context of the setting up of a common military headquarters.

The other shame that I will not have time to deal with in depth is the racist, anti-migrant policy that has turned the Mediterranean into a graveyard for those who are trying to escape the horrors caused by imperialism. Will the Taoiseach stand up to that? Will he stand up to defend the right to asylum? I seriously doubt it, given that he will be presenting shamrock to Donald Trump next week.

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