James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here to discuss the important issues that will be addressed at the European Council meeting next week. I wish to take this opportunity to focus on economic recovery through the implementation of the agreement reached in July last. In terms of the rule of law and funding, it is imperative that these supports are put in place as quickly as possible for the recovery of our economy and society in the post-Covid-19 world. While Hungary may be somewhat preoccupied by internal matters at present it must, along with Poland, recognise that upholding the rule of law framework is fundamental to the proper functioning of the European Union. Any attempt to undermine that framework should not be tolerated. An enormous problem at European level, as the Minister of State is aware, is the disruption being caused by both of these countries. This is not about the simple majority wanting to impose its will on the Hungarian people, as suggested by Prime Minister Orbán, but about upholding EU citizens' rights so that people know that they will always be safe and protected within the EU. This is critical in terms of buy-in from citizens right across the European Continent and within the EU itself. We are no longer living in a world of self-interested nation states but in a networked society where we as a people must uphold the values of democracy and freedom against those who try to take them away.

Funding under the NextGenerationEU programme is hugely important for the recovery of Europe. I hope that a consensus will be reached that maintains our fundamental values while also enabling us to begin our economic recovery, which is critically important. It is interesting to see many different, fantastic and ongoing EU-funded projects around the EU. In east Cork, the area I represent, a major project is underway to connect Ireland's power grid to the Continent of Europe for the first time by way of the interconnector between France and Ireland. That project will terminate in Yougal, the town in which I grew up. Projects between nations such as the interconnector help to build a degree of unity. We all understand how important projects such as the Eurotunnel in the 1990s were to the development of the European Union. We need to go back to that economic investment model which will be so important in ensuring that the strength of the Union is upheld. That is the message I would love to see the Minister of State feeding back to his European colleagues at the next meeting.

In terms of long-term development and state aid, the issue of our airports and European connectivity is so important. We have heard very significant discussions lately on the challenges facing the aviation sector.

There is no question but that Ireland is the home of aviation in the European Union, if not the world, in terms of the organisations based here and the level of financial investment it has brought to our economy compared with worldwide averages. We need to work with our European colleagues to protect that. During Leaders' Questions yesterday, the Taoiseach spoke about another issue which is critical for Deputies, that of investment in antigen testing. We should, perhaps, consider testing on this basis. We know that such testing is not as accurate as polymerase chain reaction, PCR, testing, but it is far more convenient. The European Union should continue to lead the world in research on antigen testing. This will be very important if we are to live with Covid over the medium term because the roll-out of vaccinations will take a significant amount of time. We have to be proactive within the European Union in that regard. Of the top ten pharmaceutical companies in the world, nine have their European bases in Ireland. We are, therefore, in a prime position to lead that fight. I regularly speak to ambassadors on the importance of aviation not only to Ireland, but to all of our European neighbours. We should lead on that issue.

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