Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State, Deputy Costello, is very welcome. It is nice to see him in the House. I especially welcome him as a former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs. It is interesting that we are debating the European Communities (Amendment) Bill. We in this House live through history. We have seen a lot happen in a few years. Since I came to the House we have had the Lisbon treaty and now this Bill, which examines legal concerns. That is important. We previously discussed the ESM treaty and the Bill, which was critical to the passing of the recent treaty. I wished to mention both of those treaties.

I am delighted to welcome Ambassador Jasna Ognjanovac, and her official, Wanda, from Croatia. Both are regular visitors to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. I have come to know both of them very well and I am delighted to see them present.

I compliment and commend Croatia on its courage. While many of us question whether it is safe to be in the euro, ask what we are part of, and display a general nervousness about Europe, it is a country that has moved forward unrelentingly. Croatia has said without a shadow of doubt that it wants to be part of the European Union and the euro. Croatia is displaying a great deal of courage. For that reason I invited the Croatian ambassador to Oranmore recently to address us on the treaty. I wanted the Irish people to get that angle as well. Unfortunately, she was not able to take up the offer at the time but it does not mean there will not be another opportunity. It is good to know that there is much hope in existence also. We have been living in fear and with great uncertainty because of what happened to our country and the way everything toppled so quickly but those countries that were not immediately affected by that look on Europe, the European project and the euro with different eyes. I congratulate Croatia and wish it well. I will celebrate with it on 1 July.

On people's legal concerns about the Lisbon treaty which also forms part of the Bill, we discussed the matter in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs in the Minister of State's presence. I am happy with a number of elements in the treaty, in particular the breathing space it gave this country to discuss legislation and directives coming from Europe which is 75% of our legislation. However, as I set out previously, I am not happy with the amount of time given to scrutiny of legislation and directives coming from Europe. A proposal was made by Senator Colm Burke that this House would be used to scrutinise legislation. He suggested that one day or afternoon per week would be devoted to that purpose. I urge the Minister of State to seriously consider the merit of such a step. I observe how unhappy Irish people are with the number of directives that were not adequately teased out. I refer in particular to the over-regulation of small business. In the past we have been overly zealous in our implementation of European directives and legislation without adequate discussion. That must stop. It is wrong and unfair. In Spain the regulation of food preparation and presentation is different. It might not all be good but there must be uniformity. If we are members of a union we must buy into certain rules. We cannot just agree with everything without having adequate discussion.

As we pass the Bill the main issue we must discuss this evening is where we go from here with the European project. We need a long-term plan for Europe. The piecemeal approach must stop. We must put our best foot forward. We have been looking around us in Europe at the big players such as France and Germany. The inspiration is not coming from there. Mr. Hollande spoke about the jobs and growth agenda, which I support, but inspiration can come from the smallest member. Ireland has an ace card in its hand come 1 January when we take up the European Presidency. We must talk about a long-term plan to save the European project and to save the euro, which is our currency. That is the case even for those who had the greatest fear of it. The Greeks have now voted for the euro. As well as needing a long-term economic plan we need a long-term political plan and a vision for Europe. We cede much power to Chancellor Merkel because Germany makes up one third of the eurozone. I am now of the view that that is a mistake. That inspiration can come from anywhere, not least from Ireland. I would like the Minister of State in his reply to give his view on how much Ireland's voice is being heard in Europe. How much leadership are we able to give? Does he think we have a significant role to play in that regard?