Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be here to contribute to this historic debate. I recognise the significance it holds for the peoples of Europe as it marks Europe Day yesterday. I also recognise the special significance it holds for the people of this country, because 50 years ago today, exactly, on 10 May 1972, our parents' generation voted to join what was then the European Economic Community, EEC. The rest, as they say, is history. I do not think either the Minister of State or myself were around at the time of the referendum, but I certainly recall the 1980s. I remember the poverty, the mass unemployment, the mass emigration, the social repression and the armed conflict that blighted this country for decades. When I compare today's Ireland with that of the 1980s, they may be the same country, but they are utterly different worlds and almost exclusively for the better.

That has not happened by chance. There is a reason the great majority of Irish people, 88%, are in favour of EU membership and why so many countries in the world wish to join the Union. The reason is that the European project is a success. It is not a complete and utter success, but it is a success nonetheless. It is important that we reflect on why this is the case. First, all 27 EU countries are at peace, with themselves and with their neighbours. This has not occurred by chance. There is also much more tolerance now and many more forums for the peaceful settlement of disputes, be those economic, diplomatic or political. Not a single EU country has been at war since the foundation of the EU and that is an achievement in itself. I am only a humble soldier, but even I know the best way to destroy your enemies is to make them your friends. The EU is a classic living and breathing example of that principle. All we have to do is to look over the wire or the wall to the east of Poland and we can see the alternative. A war of conquest is going on there, and that was the norm only 80 years ago. We should never take the peace on this Continent for granted as a result.

I also agree with Deputy Calleary regarding his focus on education, which has been the second major impact and legacy of the EU on this country. We have all been beneficiaries of it. I refer to the moneys from the Structural Fund that built our schools, at primary and second level, as well as the research grants and other funding that financed research in our third level institutions. Deputy Calleary was also correct in pointing out the importance of the Erasmus+ flagship programme. I am also happy to see that being extended to encompass people in Northern Ireland. Equally, through Léargas, this programme is now available not only to those in third level institutions but also to adult learners and to secondary and primary school students. This is greatly important, because not every lesson can be taught effectively. Some can only be experienced. Travelling around Europe, one experiences the different cultures, different understandings of tolerance and different ideas and visions, and it is important to bring those ideas back home. I am greatly in favour of the Erasmus programme and I encourage everybody listening to this debate to seriously consider participating in it, if they have not done so already.

Third, the EU's support in the context of Brexit was exemplary. We had 26 other countries in our corner. Many of them had absolutely no skin in the game. It was largely irrelevant to them what happened in Brexit, but they backed Ireland completely and we should never forget that. Even if we compare the posture of the two negotiating teams, we had one side which was consistent, constructive and courteous, while the other side was reckless and cavalier in its approach. I am extremely glad that all the members of the EU, each of the other 26 members, were entirely on side in that perspective.

The EU is of course not perfect. It was never intended to be. It was always meant to be a work in progress. I suspect the Minister of State has heard the phrase about the United Nations that is applicable to the EU as well: "The UN was [never designed to bring] us to heaven, but to save [us] from hell". It is apposite to assign that phrase to the EU as well. The Union is imperfect. It has its faults and failings. When we reflect on the last 50 years, though, we should also focus on the next 50 years. In that context, perhaps, the next 50 days are all important. The number one focus of the EU now is to bring about a peaceful settlement to the situation in Ukraine. The Ukrainian crisis is rapidly becoming a Russian crisis. We must use every lever at our disposal in this context, whether military, economic, diplomatic or political. We must use carrots and sticks. There is a lot more stick than carrot now, but I share the concerns mentioned by President Biden today regarding President Putin not having an off-ramp.

He does not have an exit strategy. He does not have a ladder to climb down. It is very important that the EU, while it is using the stick, also uses a small bit of carrot and says that if a ceasefire is declared, unilateral or otherwise, and Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine, there are positive steps that are going to happen. We have to remember we are not just talking about Putin any more. We are talking to his potential successor. That is what we have to keep in mind.

Moving beyond that, in respect of the fifth day horizon, I am in favour of more countries joining the European Union, particularly those in the Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and the tiny Republic of Georgia, which should not be forgotten. They are very keen to get in for the same reasons we were and to achieve the same benefits we achieved.

On the need to tackle the climate crisis, which has not gone away, this new-found cohesion and sense of belonging and togetherness that the European Union has found over the last few months needs to be applied also to the climate crisis. We need more funding for the retrofitting programme, to support the purchase of electric vehicles and to ensure that we move to a renewable future from a climate point of view and an energy security point of view.

The European Union is not some stuffy office in Brussels, Frankfurt or Strasbourg. We are the European Union. If there is a problem with the European Union there is a problem with us. We have to engage more and recognise that we can influence and shape the direction of the European Union. I will leave my last word to our parents' generation. I am very grateful for their wisdom and vision 50 years ago today, when they recognised the opportunity and potential of the European Economic Community as it was at the time. They passed on the greatest gift they possibly could by making our lives much better than their own. Whether they passed on their vision or their wisdom is for other people to decide and is perhaps a question for the next generation.

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