Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I concur with Senator Terry Leyden who, in fairness, is a very enthusiastic member of the Joint Committee on European Affairs and a big promoter of the European Union for Fianna Fáil. I agree with his comments on Europe Day, which could be embraced a little more in the House in a positive way. I know that it is difficult to generate enthusiasm, not least among the media, about the European Union, but it would be good if we could make more of a deal of it in the House.

Europe Day offers us the opportunity to discuss many issues relating to the European Union, including the challenges and opportunities we face, as well as the work programme, to which the Minister of State alluded. There can be no question that citizens expect the European Union to make a difference on the big societal changes we face, whether economic or social, such as unemployment and competitiveness. However, if we distil the broader ideas into narrower, more easily defined concepts, it often provokes a more favourable response from people in their attitudes towards the European Union. The termination of mobile phone roaming charges and the Youth Guarantee are two specific policy objectives which show that the European Union has a direct and positive impact on the lives of its citizens.

When reflecting on Europe Day, it is worthwhile looking back to the position we were in when we joined the European Economic Community 41 years ago in 1973 to get the full context. Since 1973 we have seen both Ireland and the European Union make unprecedented progress in economic and social matters. We must not forget that it has been the single most successful peace project of all time. In this Government term we held the EU Presidency for the seventh time. We have held the Presidency during key periods in the European Union's history - when the Berlin Wall fell, when Ireland facilitated the reunification of Germany within the European Union when others hesitated, and in 2004 when the biggest expansion of the Union took place with the addition of ten new member states. Each time we have held the position, we have served wider Community interests. There were significant achievements on the budget, in banking, fisheries policy, dealing with the issue of youth employment and advancing a new trade and investment partnership with the United States. I was delighted to hear the Minister of State's comments on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which will be extremely positive in the context of investment and growth between the United States and the European Union. Irish politicians, diplomats and civil servants are doing a professional job at all levels across the European Union. Our reputation has been hard fought for but well maintained.

The Ireland of 1973 was a very different place from the Ireland of today. There has been phenomenal economic, social and political change in Ireland in the past 42 years in which our membership of the European Union was a crucial catalyst. In 1973 EU membership seemed to promise us many things, including access to a larger market, greater export opportunities for business, more employment, better wages and the removal of protectionist barriers. At the time of accession, Ireland's gross domestic product, GDP, was two thirds of the EU average, but now it is a third higher. In 1972 the net benefit to Ireland of EU contributions was €41.4 million, or 1.2% of GDP; in 1992 the net benefit was €2.08 billion or 5.5% of GDP, while in 2004 it was €1.59 billion or 1.3% of GDP. In total, in the past 40 years the net benefit to Ireland has been in excess of €20 billion in cash from the European Union. The value of exports has increased from $1.1 billion in 1973 to $110 billion, while GDP has grown four times over. As such, when we reflect on Europe Day, we must reflect on these positive achievements during the years.

Similarly, when we look to the future, we must admit that the European Union is in a period of rapid transition, as Senator Terry Leyden mentioned. We have learned a great many lessons from our membership, not least that compromise is necessary and that strong representation and diplomatic links throughout the European Union are vital in order to succeed. The "Brexit" and "Grexit", as the possible exits from the European Union of Britain and Greece are called, pose dilemmas that the Union has never faced before and the year ahead could yet be a defining one. As the Minister of State said, today will be interesting in terms of whether the United Kingdom will remain in the European Union. Nevertheless, the ordinary work of the Commission must continue and we must ensure the European Union will work to provide solutions for citizens through initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee.

When the Commission adopted its work programme for 2015, it set out the actions it intended to take this year to make a real difference in terms of job creation, growth and investment to bring concrete benefits for citizens. The intentions are clear and the 2015 programme includes the delivery ofthe announced investment plan, opening up the opportunities of the digital single market for citizens and business, launching the European energy union and putting forward a new, balanced European agenda on migration, as mentioned by the Minister of State. If we look further at the details of these proposals, we find an ambitious agenda for the year, specifically the investment plan for Europe which will see an unlocking of public and private investments in the real economy of at least €315 billion in the next three years. In addition, an ambitious digital single market package should create the conditions for a vibrant digital economy and society by complementing the telecommunications regulatory environment and modernising copyright rules. I know that the Minister of State has done much work in the area of data protection. In addition, we have taken the first steps towards a European energy union. This is a vital proposal to ensure energy supply security, further integrate national energy markets, reduce European energy demand and decarbonise the energy mix. This will be important for Ireland in the years ahead.

All told, while we reflect on Europe Day, the challenges posed by talk of both a potential British and Greek exit, as well as the work of the Commission in the year ahead, we can be sure Ireland's best interest will best be preserved when we work at the heart of a strong European Union. That is why the Government has worked to ensure we have strong representation in the European Parliament and that we put our best foot forward with a Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs who has ensured a vital link between the Cabinet and our European partners, while also working to attract inward investment.It has shown a capacity to influence the debate and build relationships with key decision-makers. Its negotiations with the ECB, the IMF and other international organisations are an abject lesson in the value of hard work, persistence and determination. They are in stark contrast to the diplomacy practised by other countries in recent negotiations.

The lessons learned from Ireland's membership of the EU have been many and varied. The one lesson, however, is that it has been a good thing for Ireland, our citizens, businesses large and small, exporters and consumers. Above all else, it has ensured our rights throughout the EU. That is what we should remember when we reflect on Europe Day and what the Europe of 2015 offers to our citizens.