Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, to the House to discuss Europe Day, which we will celebrate on Saturday, and the European Commission's 2015 work programme. As Senator van Turnhout mentioned, I invited Ms Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, here last week where Senators had the opportunity to discuss the Commission's 2015 work programme, including Ireland's priorities for the coming year. At that briefing Ms Nolan detailed the Commission's announcement at the end of last year and referred to it as a "new start", reflected in the Commission's determination to ensure it works better, is more open and more democratic.

The new approach by the Commission was flagged by President Juncker at the European Parliament in 2014, when he outlined ten political priorities on which the new Commission's mandate to 2019 would be based. Ms Nolan reiterated the Commission's commitment to initiatives upon which it can deliver, and actions it will take in 2015.

The work programme for 2015 sets out 23 new initiatives, which are grouped under ten political priorities. The 23 new initiatives for 2015 will be in addition to the many actions already agreed over the past years including the European Semester, Structural Funds commitments and monitoring the application of EU law, to name a few.

President Juncker and the Commission are also committed to cutting red tape and improving existing legislation during its mandate, essentially lightening the regulatory burden and ensuring existing EU legislation is fit for purpose, something Senator Quinn and all involved in business will welcome.

I invited Members of the House to pick three priorities from the initiatives in the Commission's work programme. The first they chose was item 2, which was promoting integration and employability in the labour market. This initiative to promote labour integration and employability will include a package of measures to support member states in getting people, especially the longer-term unemployed and younger people, into work and developing a skilled workforce. This will include measures to follow up on the implementation of the youth employment initiative, a proposal for a Council recommendation on the integration of the long-term unemployed, which should be adopted by mid-July or September, as well as measures to promote skills development which will be launched later this year or early next year by the Commission.

Linked to that is the investment plan which is intended to kick-start investment, jobs and growth in Europe. The new €315 billion plan was developed in close co-operation with the European Investment Bank. Implementing this plan is the top priority for 2015, and is an area where the Commission is looking forward to working closely with the Irish authorities.

It is worth noting that funding has already started to flow from the new investment fund, as Senator Higgins mentioned. An Irish project for constructing 14 new primary health care centres was one of the first projects to be funded under this initiative.

The Members also chose item 5, which is the strategic framework for energy union. This project was launched by the Commission in February of this year and sets out a strategy for sustainable, secure and affordable energy in Europe. The focus is on energy supply security; integration of national energy markets, including the issue of interconnectors, which is relevant to Ireland; reduction in European energy demand; and decarbonising the energy mix and promoting research and innovation in the energy field.

One startling figure to be aware of is that the EU is the largest energy importer in the world, importing 53% of its energy. As this is such a major topic I hope to organise another briefing session for Members with an energy expert from Commission headquarters on the energy union strategic framework very soon.

The third items the Members chose was the Internal Market strategy for goods and services. The Commission's Internal Market strategy will aim to deliver a renewed and integrated approach for the Single Market, deliver further integration, and improve mutual recognition and standardisation in key industrial and services sectors where the economic potential is greatest, for example, business services, construction, retail, regulated professions, advanced manufacturing and combined services-goods provision. A particular focus will be on small and medium enterprises, SME.

Linked to item 7 is the Commission initiative to create a capital markets union which has the potential to be a huge benefit for consumers, businesses and communities. The proposed capital markets union would improve access to financing; increase and diversify the sources of funding; and make markets work more effectively.

The role of national parliaments in taking forward the Commission's work programme is an important one, and the Seanad can have a significant impact on the scrutiny of EU legislation and the work programme. The Commission has been clear on the need to deepen the existing political dialogue with national parliaments and it is now time for the Seanad, with the co-operation of the European Commission representation office, to help build this close co-operation with the Seanad and the joint Oireachtas committees.

I can assure the Minister of State that we have no intention in this House to duplicate what is happening in any of the committees but I know the Government fully supports the recommendation of the Seanad reform group that this House should have a greater role in EU policy, and the EU work programme in particular. We need to engage more in European affairs because there is a disengagement on the part of the people with Europe, and we should lead on that.

In the coming months we hope to have a number of Commissioners address the House. We intend to have debates on the three items from the EU work programme I mentioned, and I am sure the Minister of State will be present for some of those debates. I thank him for coming to the House. It has been a fruitful debate as we look forward to celebrating Europe Day on Saturday next.