Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have no doubt the MEPs will answer it. I will also ask a question about demographics. Politicians tend to take a short-term view; that is one of the weaknesses in politics. The long-term future of Europe, it is said by many and seems to be borne out by the figures, is that we face a demographic winter with a massive decline in population. Who will look after us in our old age? Who will pay the taxes to fund the public services we will need? What has the EU got to say? What is its area of competence? What role can it play or is it playing a role in addressing that question? How do we reflect on the migration crisis of 2015 in the light of that question? For many people, the decision of Frau Merkel to open the borders was about saying we need to fill the demographic hole through migration. There is a solidarity argument for doing all that in the context of migration but is that the main answer or does the answer involve policies that encourage people to have children? Is that a legitimate and important question for the EU? Countries such as Hungary, which have been criticised for their attitudes to migration, have enlightened policies in assisting families to have children, giving them tax benefits and so on. Is that part of the future? Is it something the EU is paying attention to?