Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Taoiseach to the House. He concluded his remarks with reference to the publication of the White Paper which we received within the past couple hours. I welcome it and it will be of assistance in the necessary ongoing broad debate we will have on European issues during the coming months.

I thank the Taoiseach not only for his attendance but for the work he and his Government have done on European issues during the past number of years, particularly with regard to the proposed constitution for Europe. However, as the Taoiseach acknowledged, the question of Europe and our role in shaping its future is back on the agenda and we are once again at a crossroads.

Questions with regard to the enlargement process, expanding the territory of the European Union, the financial perspectives, the Lisbon Agenda and many others remain unanswered. Into the vacuum caused by doubt on these issues has come a worrying and dangerous level of indifference and apathy in this country. A central challenge facing the Taoiseach and the Government is to re-engage the people on European policy and direction in order to help lead and shape the broader European debate on matters relating to the future of the continent.

In recent years, those across the political spectrum in this House have taken part in numerous debates on the constitution for Europe. It is disappointing that research shows almost half of the public do not have an opinion on that constitution. Since the defeats suffered in referenda on the constitution, particularly in France, the period of reflection and consultation that was due to take place here has become more a period of silence and inaction. I welcome the fact that the ratification period has been extended beyond the original deadline of November 2006. It is absolutely vital that the additional time allowed will lead to active engagement by the Government with the public on the issues of Europe's future and our role in that process.

The fact that nine out of every ten people tell survey companies that they believe we have benefited from EU membership is welcome. However, it is disappointing they have so little interest in the constitution for Europe. We must politically challenge the public with regard to the importance of the European project, its role in the social and economic development of this country over the past 30 years, and the importance of Europe progressing and expanding politically and not standing still. We must reiterate the point that in today's world, one can move backwards or forwards politically but one cannot stand still. We must attempt to drive on.