Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

John Hume described the European Union as "the best example in the history of the world of conflict resolution". From its beginnings as the European Coal and Steel Community, which sought to bind historically warring countries and nations of people, Robert Schuman stated that solidarity of production from pooling coal and steel production would make war between France and Germany "not only unthinkable but materially impossible". From the humble beginnings of the initial single Common Market grew the European Economic Community, which Ireland joined in 1973 under Fianna Fáil's visionary leadership. It later became the European Union. Over the past 52 years, Ireland has made remarkable progress but has also contributed so much in the development of our modern European Union. We should be proud to celebrate all we have achieved and look forward to the next 50 years.

Through the Common Agricultural Policy, the Erasmus programme, the free movement of goods, services and people, the euro, full economic independence from the British empire, the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, a free media and a free people, Ireland has benefited immensely through its membership of the EU, and the EU has benefited greatly from our membership too. The expansion of the EU and the welcoming of new member states, particularly over the past two decades or just beyond, has been transformational for our economy and people. It has brought workers to our shores when we needed them. It has brought new people, ideas and cultures, and it has enhanced and enriched our society in many ways.

That does not mean the EU is perfect and indeed, it is not. Overregulation and red tape in farming must be tackled. CAP must be refocused on food security and food production, and the historical significance of and need for CAP on this continent cannot be forgotten and taken for granted. The EU stance and inability to act on the genocide in Gaza is deeply troubling. It shows how the machinery of the European Union is far from perfect. While Ireland, Spain and Norway have acted to recognise the State of Palestine and take a stance that the West has in so many ways shamefully failed to take, the EU has been far too silent in too many ways. With the current US Administration under President Donald Trump looking inward and away from its allies, it is clearer than ever that our future is in Europe. We must look east to our allies across the Continent, acknowledge the benefits we have gained from our membership of the EU, and continue to shape a future EU that remains mutually beneficial but challenges its failings and inability to act with determination, solidarity and a shared purpose.

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