Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. We are living in times of great change, North and South and across Europe. We have seen recently how the tide has changed in Europe against the forces of austerity. That is to be welcomed and it is to be hoped this time next year the austerity treaty will be a distant memory of an attempt to constitutionalise a failed economic model.

We are sure that when Ireland's Presidency of the European Union begins next year, this State will continue to be a member of the eurozone and the European Union, the same as any other state, with the same influence we have now. That is the factual context in which we live and to pretend otherwise is a distraction.

It is likely the Irish Presidency will coincide with the final negotiations of the multi-annual financial programme. This is a lucky coincidence of which the State must take full advantage. Our farmers, fishermen, youth groups and community organisations will be keeping an eye on these developments. These are uncertain times for the State and a well funded and responsive Common Agricultural Policy in coming years will be of great importance.

I also hope the Irish Presidency will be able to sign off on a PEACE IV programme. The Six Counties and the Border regions are still recovering from the effects of the conflict caused by the division of our country and a continuation of the PEACE III programme focused on grassroots work is very important to society and the economy.

The Minister of State mentioned the peace process. I call on her to ensure this occasion is as close as possible to our first all-Ireland Presidency. There should be maximum co-operation with our counterparts in the Assembly. The benefits of an all-Ireland, joined-up approach are obvious to all of us who work with farmers, fishermen and community groups, especially along the Border. All-Ireland policy co-operation and coherence makes sense and must form the bedrock of our Presidency.

Following the remarks of Senator Healy Eames, and with an eye to the co-ordinated approach at European level to reduce unemployment, I ask the Minister of State whether concrete action on President Barroso's plans to tackle youth unemployment will be championed by our Presidency. The tackling of youth unemployment at EU level mirrors the starkness of the issue here, as a State with one of the highest levels of youths who are not in education, employment or training. Will we try to advance concrete plans to address this under the Presidency? How will we engage during the Presidency with President Barroso's action team on youth unemployment?