Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to get this first opportunity to address the Minister of State since he was appointed to ministerial office. I am also glad of the opportunity to discuss this matter. I have a special affiliation with Europe having run as a candidate in last year's European Parliament elections.

I would like to begin by highlighting that Europe Day, on 9 May, will mark 65 years since the then French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe. It was designed to ensure peaceful accords between European countries after the horrors of the first half of the 20th century. The proposal, now known as the Schuman Declaration, is widely regarded to be the act that created what is now the European Union.With celebrations for Europe Day being prepared across the EU, it is important to reflect on the significance of this day for Ireland and for all member states. One of the central themes in this year's celebrations is the European Year of Development, a field in which the EU institutions do a large amount of work supporting and initiating key projects in development aid and the fight against poverty.

We only have to look at the investment that has taken place here in Ireland since our joining of the then EEC in 1973 to see the dramatic changes our membership of the EU has brought, in everything from roads infrastructure to equality legislation. This investment continues, to the direct benefit of citizens across member states and here in Ireland. As an example, in my capacity as a Galway East-based Senator, I was delighted to learn recently that a new primary care centre will be developed for the town of Tuam, as part of a project to build 14 primary care centres nationwide. This project will be one of the first to receive pre-financing under the Juncker Commission's new investment plan for Europe. The European Investment Bank, EIB, and the European Investment Fund, EIF, have agreed to fund up to €70 million of the construction costs. Such funding supports are crucial and bring a myriad of benefits to Irish citizens, including short and long-term employment and the provision of quality, community-based health care services.

The European Commission's work plan for 2015 reflects the concerns of the modern democracies which are at the heart of the European project. The plan for the next 12 months is mindful of citizens' concerns about major issues such as employment and economic stability and their desire to see greater transparency in how Europe conducts its affairs. The 2015 plan sets out ambitious targets for the year ahead, not least of which is a funding allocation of €315 billion over the next three years for economic investment to the benefit of Europe.

Here in Ireland, we enjoy a robust technological and digital sector. For many of our citizens, the lnternet is a core part of their lives and in many cases, their livelihoods. Therefore, the Commission's desire to develop an digital single market package is most welcome. I commend the Commission for its intent to create the conditions for a thriving digital economy and society by complementing the telecommunications regulatory environment, modernising copyright rules, simplifying rules for consumers making online and digital purchases, enhancing cyber-security and mainstreaming digitalisation. There is no doubt that citizens, as private individuals and as consumers, need better protections online, as do producers of copyrighted material. I am heartened to see the Commission recognises the lacunae that need to be addressed and I will be watching these developments closely, especially in relation to those which involve tackling cyber crime that takes place across borders. This is not an easy task given the nature of digital technologies and how swiftly they are evolving. Nevertheless, tackling such issues is vital and I hope Ireland, as a member state and a country with many of the world's biggest tech names on its doorstep, can make a significant contribution to the Commission's work in this area.

Globally, we are experiencing levels of inequality not seen since the nineteenth century. Such inequality threatens our economic stability and can, as history has repeatedly shown, lead to serious civil unrest. Key to delivering fairer societies is the redistribution of capital through the tax system. That is why I welcome the Commission's commitment over the next 12 months to a fairer approach to taxation. Beginning with an action plan on efforts to combat tax evasion and tax fraud, it will include a communication on a renewed approach for corporate taxation in the single market in the light of global developments.

The action plan will also, as stated, "Starting from the work done on base erosion and profit shifting at OECD and G20 levels . . . [include] . . . measures at EU level in order to move to a system on the basis of which the country where profits are generated is also the country of taxation, including in the digital economy". The Commission will aim at a stabilising corporate tax base in the EU for a fair taxation environment, including re-launching work towards a common consolidated corporate tax base. Such proposals will hopefully lead us to a much more level playing field, where those who make huge profits play their part in ensuring our societies remain fair, stable and progressive.

I wish all the Members a very happy Europe Day, 2015 in advance of 9 May. I hope all citizens and member states celebrate the day in the spirit of our union which was born out of a longing to ensure peace, prosperity and a bright future.