Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of when, on 22 January 1972, the accession treaty for Ireland to join the then European Economic Community, EEC, was signed by Taoiseach Jack Lynch and Minister for Foreign Affairs Patrick Hillery. They built on the work of Seán Lemass and others who very clearly argued that Ireland's future rightly lay in Europe. In May of that year, 83% of voters endorsed the decision and as the Leader knows, on 1 January 1973 we joined the EEC. I have always been very proud of my party's consistent pro-European stance because it has been shown that our membership of the EU has benefited citizens, workers and businesses and allowed Ireland to influence global affairs in a collaborative manner. The project has at its core always been about two key things - peace and prosperity - and it has succeeded in those.

We sometimes forget about what has been achieved. I refer to the free movement of citizens and how easy it is for us now to travel around Europe, to make a phone call when roaming or to do business. It is the world's biggest market. The EU sets high environmental, health, safety and labour standards that influence the rest of the world. We have seen EU investment in research. Yesterday marked the 35th birthday of the Erasmus programme, which is one of most successful exchange programmes in the world. Is teanga oifigiúil oibre iomlán de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh í an Ghaeilge anois. This year and next year, it is appropriate we mark and celebrate our EU membership. This Chamber should do it. We should contribute to the debate on the future of Europe and how Europe can tackle global challenges such as the climate crisis and how we interact with and regulate technology. This is also the European Year of Youth. We need to look at how young people can be involved in that discussion on the future of Europe. Roberta Metsola MEP was elected President of the European Parliament two days ago following the sad and sudden passing of David Sassoli. It is noteworthy that this was the election of a young woman from a small member state. She is someone I know to be thoughtful and with vision. I suggest we consider inviting her to the House to address and talk about the future of Europe.

I briefly raise another issue which I and others have raised previously, concerning the Passport Office and foreign birth registration. I praise the office in terms of renewal of passports. One cannot praise it highly enough. It is highly efficient when it comes to renewal but for first-time passport applications, the delays are now beyond frustrating. It is taking at least eight weeks. For people who have children it is just crazy. Some Senators may know Councillor Racheal Batten from Dublin City Council. She posted last night that she applied for a passport. She posted a photo of her baby when the passport photo was taken and one of her child now and they are like two different children. The length of the delays is just not acceptable. I therefore ask we have a debate on the continuing delays around foreign birth registrations and first-time passport applications.