Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like other speakers I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend her on the impressive start to our Presidency of the European Council. There is not much point in my repeating what has been already said. Obviously, the central theme of our Presidency is cohesion, job creation and so on, which are themes that percolate throughout the European Union in terms of importance.

As already stated, youth unemployment is a significant problem not only in Ireland, but in many of our European counterparts. Significant percentages of youth unemployment exist. Ireland is a small country, a drop in the vast oceans of a diverse Europe. However, that drop can have a ripple effect, in terms of influence, throughout Europe. I am always proud of how influential this small nation is in the European Union. Ireland punches way above its weight in terms of achievement within Europe.

I would like to focus on setting best practice. For too long, people have been quoting international best practice and saying that Ireland should emulate what is being done by other countries. I believe that as a society we have the capability, track record and creativity to set best practice, including international best practice. We have already demonstrated this through initiatives such as the smoking ban in workplaces. Ireland was the first European country to introduce such a smoking ban. A similar ban is now in place in the vast majority of European countries. That is one example. Another is the current controversy we are currently experiencing in terms of horsemeat and the labelling of food products. In this regard, I point our European colleagues to the fact that what is now a European crisis was identified by Ireland, through its advanced inspection and labelling systems. In my view, when it comes to food labelling we already operate to best practice. Under the stewardship of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, our systems will be fine-tuned to ensure best practice prevails throughout Europe. Ireland will be the fore in this regard. They are two examples of where Ireland has made significant advancement in best practice.

I would like consideration to be given to our setting best practice on a much wider scale. Ireland's reputation and confidence has been battered as a result of a tremendous recession, probably the worst we have experienced in a long time. We need to use this experience to set best practice in the financial services industry, in terms of our tourism product, clean environment, quality housing, corporate governance and the elimination of corruption throughout business and in the public sphere. There is much work to be done. It is hoped the Ireland's Presidency of the European Council will be the beginning of a new chapter in which Ireland will become, through the use of talent, experience, ability, energy and its proven track record, one of the outstanding nations of the world.