Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I compliment her most sincerely on the tremendous work she has been doing on Brexit, which is important, and also on the way in which she has travelled across Ireland and the rest of Europe forging alliances, building friendships, informing people and having a conversation on the future of Europe. It is refreshing to have a Minister of State such as Deputy Helen McEntee to do that. I commend her most sincerely on the approach she has taken and on how she has communicated Ireland's position on Brexit. I thank her for that.

This debate is happening against the backdrop of Brexit and the challenge of a generation. The next couple of weeks will be critical. The rise of Eurosceptic voices is of concern. I am always of the view that the voice of the centre must hold in Europe. Europe must deliver for its people and the institutions must be seen to be on their side. It is about strengthening democracy, standing up for and upholding human rights, and challenging those with different viewpoints to change their ways. It is important that the work the Government is doing is about bringing the institutions of Europe to the people.

We are a very pro-European country and are at the heart of Europe. I welcome the publication today of a Eurobarometer survey, which shows that 75% of respondents expressed happiness over how democracy works in Europe, 64% have a more positive image of Europe, 76% believe the EU responds to their country's needs, and 8% have a negative view, notwithstanding the views expressed by Senator Warfield in his contribution. Some 86% of citizens are optimistic about the future of Europe.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan made reference to Mr. Viktor Orbán in her contribution. She did not have to wait for the Fine Gael MEPs to express their views in Europe today. She would have heard on the Order of Business my view that the vision of Europe Mr. Orbán stands for and his politics do not resonate with me in any way. He is unsuited to being a member of the European People's Party. The vision for Europe my party and I share does not include xenophobia or anti-Semitic voices. It is one of inclusivity and positivity. That was expressed today and was also expressed by others before today. Mr. Viktor Orbán's view is not in keeping with the vision of Europe I have.

Today, the open letter by the French President, Mr. Macron, calling for the reform of the EU is one we need to consider, regardless of whether it entails a new type of European renaissance or a serious, reflective debate on the future of Europe. We should welcome the letter although we may not agree with everything Mr. Macron says. That is fine. I do not agree with some of the views of others but it is important to have a debate.Mr. Macron's open letter to the citizens of Europe is about protecting and defending the EU and ensuring that we are equipped to deal with the challenges in a new and evolving world post Brexit. We must ensure that the EU is protected from cyber attacks and interference in elections as we face into the critical period of European Union elections. It is also important in a new Europe and a new world that issues of climate change, security and defence and quality of life are tackled and met. Equally, it is imperative that we have a strong, united, vibrant and inclusive Europe that works for all its people and has a border which does not have a wall but, rather, a welcome. We must reflect on the fact that the EU, of which Ireland has been a member state since 1973, gives us, as the Minister of State indicated, our greatest protection. What type of country would Ireland be if it had not been a member state of the European Union for the past 46 years?

There are remaining challenges such as the issues of CAP reform, climate change, the Single Market in the digital age and research and development. In the words of Robert Schuman, "Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de factosolidarity." Those words are as relevant today as when they were first uttered. I congratulate the Minister of State on her work. She, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have done a tremendous job building solidarity for our country around Europe as we face into this critical period of Brexit. I thank her for attending. This is an important debate which we need to embrace. I commend Senator Horkan on having the temerity to make the proposal he did on the Order of Business. I know it was, perhaps, part of a different-----