Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join everyone in welcoming the Commissioner for this robust exchange of views on the subject of how her portfolio can contribute to the Irish economic recovery. I echo all of the affirmations everyone else has given in terms of her previous roles and contribution to the State. It is a great privilege and pleasure as an Irish lesbian to thank her in the Seanad Chamber for her vision in decriminalising homosexuality. It helped to pave the way to where we are today, as Senator Bacik stated. It is wonderful to be able to thank her.

In light of some of the prime issues with which we are grappling in Ireland today, the Commissioner has spoken extensively about Horizon 2020. She mentioned it in her speech and it was great to hear it is a key cornerstone of EU economic policy and rightly so. The year 2020 is only seven years away and we need the policy, as the Commissioner stated emphatically. It is important, particularly if we are to secure higher levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland and back indigenous industries to a greater extent. In her speech the Commissioner mentioned small and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of any economy. What level of support will be given to small and medium-sized companies under Horizon 2020? Does the Commissioner feel enough companies are aware of the proper funding opportunities under Horizon 2020? She spoke about modernising procurement rules, but perhaps other measures could support awareness in terms of access. It is very important to back these policy sectors if the Irish economy is to become more competitive and sustainable.

Social innovation has had many positive impacts and advantages in Europe. Significant high-level initiatives aim to offer more support to social innovation and social innovators. We have had much debate and discussion in the Seanad on these issues. As the Commissioner knows well, they are emerging at European level as well as at national level in Ireland and many other countries throughout Europe. As a long-time advocate of social innovation, and as a social entrepreneur myself, I welcome and support this development enthusiastically because social innovation brings forward new strategies and concepts to improve lives and solve social problems to the benefit of greater society. The Leader referred to some of these social difficulties. Social entrepreneurs are not driven by profit but by public good but they can create economic growth, jobs and wealth in society. Social innovators, due to their philanthropic approach to their commercial activities more often than not, as the Commissioner knows, employ people from disadvantaged backgrounds in their organisations, so in addition to the main social objective they make a contribution to social cohesion, reducing inequality and moving beyond the haves and have-nots in other ways.

The Commissioner spoke about the Union innovation initiative which recognises the value of social innovation. It states social innovation should become a mainstream focus in the next generation of European social fund programmes. Member states are encouraged to step up efforts to promote social innovation. Research initiatives which would create models for acquiring growth capital from State, interstate and philanthropic sources would be of great assistance. How would the Commissioner rate the impact of social innovation on economic growth in general? How does she see social innovation being put to best use for the development of our economy using public and private funding, but also with the support of European social and innovation funding?

The engagement today highlights the importance of political interaction between the European Commission and national parliaments in Europe. Taking this into account, it would be a little remiss of me in light of where I stand on some of these issues not to take this opportunity to ask the Commissioner her views, if she might share them with us, on the future of the Seanad. Noting that she served in the Oireachtas for 22 years, does she believe the Seanad should be abolished?