Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note the publication of the national statement on the European Union and suggest this is a very timely debate. The European Council meeting in Romania in May is scheduled to make significant decisions on the future of Europe. The report of the citizens' dialogue on the future of Europe has been published and public consultation on the issue is continuing. Fianna Fáil has always been a strong advocate of the European Union. Under the leadership of Seán Lemass and Jack Lynch the way was paved for Ireland to formally join the then EEC in 1973. It has always been our view that we should remain at the heart of Europe and be to the forefront in advancing its aims and objectives. Membership of the EU has been very good for Ireland. Our country has undergone a dramatic transformation since 1973. Structural Funds have transformed our infrastructure. The Single Market has opened up new countries in which we can trade, study, travel and work. Progressive social policies have been implemented. Consumer rights have been greatly improved. Environmental laws have been brought up to date. In short, we have become a modern outward-looking progressive country as a result of our membership of the EU.

Our membership of the EU was also central to the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. The EU has brought lasting peace to the continent of Europe and has also played a role in bringing about peace, prosperity and progress on this island. The White Paper on the Future of Europe was published in March 2017. It listed five scenarios as to how the Union could evolve. There are three schools of thought on how the EU should proceed. Some member states advocate retrenchment and seek to take back powers from the EU. Others are happy to have matters remain as they stand and to consolidate the existing position but also to positively consider incremental changes. There are also member states that wish to speed up European integration and to pool sovereignty in a number of areas.

Ireland, as a small nation state, has always taken a pragmatic view in respect of future developments in the EU.

Any new proposals can be looked at on a case-by-case basis. We should always be at the heart of the debate and play a constructive role. Any new moves towards deepening integration must be thoroughly debated at home and the reasons clearly explained and justified to the electorate. There is no doubt that the EU faces many challenges at this time. Brexit was a wake-up call and highlighted the need for the EU institutions to be more responsive to the concerns of citizens. While Brexit has dominated the discussion, we need to be conscious of the many other problems confronting the EU at this time. Just this month, the EU Commission published a document entitled, Global Threats to 2030: Challenges and Choices for the EU. These challenges include climate change and pollution, an ageing population, migration, problems associated with increased urbanisation including crime and violence, energy issues, and international terrorism, to name just a few.

The forthcoming European Parliament elections are important. We need to elect candidates who will ensure Ireland's interests are kept to the fore. All of us should work to ensure that the centre does, in fact, hold in these elections. European liberal democratic values are under threat throughout the EU. The situations in Hungary and Poland spring to mind. Threats to EU democratic freedoms and values need to be confronted and challenged. In this regard, I refer to the independence of the Judiciary, freedom of the press and so on. Another significant issue is migration and the refugee crisis. It is a major challenge but it is imperative that all countries take a fair and proportionate share of refugees. In addition, the Dublin regulation system should be reformed and a legal pathway for migration should be put in place. We need to address the root causes of economic migration and support for the African countries in particular would be central in that regard, as the Tánaiste has just stated. We need to promote policies of integration and inclusion both here and in the European Union as a whole. We must resist the exploitation of the migrant crisis for political ends.

I reiterate that Ireland must insist that tax rules and rates are matters for individual member states. Setting Ireland's corporate and income tax rates is the sole prerogative of Dáil Éireann and we will oppose any measures by member states, the Commission or the European Parliament in this regard.

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