Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Ba bhreá liom i dtosach báire fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit agus a rá léi go gcreidim go mór go bhfuil an cumas aici agus an mianach inti an dualgas seo a chomhlíonadh go paiteanta. I want to welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish her well. She is fit for the role, but she has become Minister of State for European Affairs at a particularly difficult time in Ireland's relationship with the European Union.

Over the past couple of years, we have heard calls to reflect on our relationship with our European partners. Things have changed quite dramatically since the debate on the Lisbon treaty. It was a very good thing that people in Ireland had the opportunity to vote in a referendum, however awkward that might have been seen by the political class at the time. It is worth remembering that during the second referendum campaign, the slogan about voting "Yes" for jobs was used to particular effect by the Minster of State's own party. If one was to ask Irish people today in a survey whether they felt that the EU was prioritising job creation and the recovery of Ireland's economy, I think many people, fairly or unfairly, would say "No". There is undoubtedly a perception right now that Europe is dominated by the interests of certain very large and powerful countries. That may or may not be true. There is a great degree of complexity about the decisions and choices that have to be made as we pursue our interests at European level. I do not want to make glib statements about the attitudes of certain other states in the EU or the attitudes of the EU institutions themselves.

I did not have the pleasure of hearing the Minister of State's speech because I was otherwise engaged. I apologise for that.