Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is 72 years since work first began on building a closer, more peaceful, more successful European Continent. The aftermath of two world wars left deep scars across Europe and fostered a resolve never again to repeat the failures of the past. It is also 50 years since 83% of the Irish people supported joining that Union and began a journey of transformation and development. Accession did indeed unlock the potential of our nation. As Deputy McAuliffe mentioned, it also freed us from the oppression of an empire. It also exposed us to multilateralism and different concepts and economic models which removed the oppression of an economic ideology that was very firmly in this State at that time and from which we had only recently emerged.

According to a recent RedC poll, a very encouraging 88% support our EU membership in this State. Today, we live in a different world from that of our parents and grandparents. The advent of the internet, globalisation, cultural integration and mass media are just some of the significant changes that have taken place since the beginning of the European project.

However, despite the best efforts of peace-loving Europeans across the Continent, we mark this Europe Day in the shadow of the dark cloud of tyranny and violence. Russia’s attack, its war of aggression against the Ukrainian people, is an assault on the ideals of the European Union and every civilised person who wished to see war in Europe consigned to the ash-heap of history.

During Ireland’s membership of the European Union, we have seen radical change and enhancements to our own society that would simply not have been possible without our membership of the Union and the assistance of our allies. In a world based on ever-increasing interconnectivity, we chose to reach out to the people of Europe and to the world. We did not close ourselves off from the outside world or seek to better ourselves through the denigration of others. In that sense, we cannot turn away from events in Ukraine, nor can we pretend that the world or our Union will ever be the same following this invasion of territorial sovereignty.

Will more invasions follow? Will Georgia, Moldova and perhaps even Finland be subject to Russian aggression?

It is appropriate, on the basis of what I have said, that on this Europe Day we acknowledge that we stand at a crossroads. The decisions we make today and in the near future with respect to the security of Ireland and the rest of the Union, self-defence, climate action and energy security, to name but some, will shape how our global society moves forward and how our Union builds on hard-won progress and rejects the narrow nationalism and populism of some on the international stage.

Ireland and its people have long looked to the future with hope. It is that spirit that has sustained us through our darkest chapters and given us the strength to overcome our biggest challenges. Our history demands that we continue to be a voice for hope in the world and share our knowledge and passion for growth, togetherness and ambition with the world.

We can still turn the tide on the rising aggression and nationalism around the world. We can limit the worst effects of climate change by working together. As Deputy Berry pointed out quite rightly, the example that has been shown recently through our response to the energy crisis can and should be replicated when dealing with climate action. We can build a sustainable, more equal society at home and abroad in the years ahead; however, to achieve this, every European must act.

It is perhaps the irony of our time that the chipping away of freedoms and truth reveals itself when the situation becomes critical. Therefore, we as European citizens have a duty of care to democracies and, most important, the truth.

The EU has been the most successful peace process in the history of mankind. It has brought progress, abundance and, most important, peace that preceding generations could only dream of. We cannot take our success for granted, however. Peace and stability require continual work and attention. In an hour such as this, with uncertainty regarding what the future holds in nations across Europe and the rest of the world, we must redouble our efforts to ensure the future is hopeful and sustainable.

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