Fiach MacConghail (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State. As I have done privately, I offer my support to her. As Senator Healy Eames stated, Ireland has a fantastic opportunity to use the Presidency - I use the phrase carefully - to improve its damaged reputation. There is a fractured Europe. It is not structurally fractured but the relationships are fractured. We are cranky, for good reason. We have a reputation for mollifying and trying to make peace. We should use the first six months of 2013 as an opportunity for the Republic to be peacemaker among all member states. We are great at what we call public diplomacy. I am proud to say I am a great fan of the Union, irrespective of its flaws. I accept there are many views on the future of Europe but we are all on the one side in terms of making it much more productive, cohesive and inclusive.

Most high-level meetings happen in Brussels. The Minister of State mentioned in her speech that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, will have a certain conference here. What informal high-level meetings will be held in Ireland? I support Senator Healy Eames's view that meetings should be held beyond the Pale. Tomorrow, the Government is to announce the launch of the Gathering, an important phenomenon. Irish arts and cultural festivals are the best in the world. It is important to use culture, tourism, our good nature and sense of conviviality to try to impress on our European colleagues the importance of enhancing the unity and cohesiveness of the Union.

The Minister may have a little more to say on the crucial trade Ministers' meeting, focusing particularly on EU-US trade. Ireland could be at the centre of the discourse. I hope the current US President will still be in power next year. It may be interesting for us to enhance our reputation even more. Our reputation is in need of enhancement. We should not feel we have achieved this and the Minister should not either. It is a matter of using our leverage to encourage our neighbours and the other member states.

I was involved with the 2004 Presidency and with the day of enlargement. Ireland serves as a focal point for all member states. I would love to hear the Minister of State say more about using our cultural and tourism links to leverage our public diplomacy muscle in order to enhance our reputation.