Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has been 72 years since the Schuman Declaration was presented by French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, on 9 May 1950. Celebrating Europe Day annually allows us to remember where we started and to reflect on how far we have come. Remembering our history and bringing it to new generations is important because there was a very good reason for the development of the then European Coal and Steel Community, what is today the European Union. The original aim and purpose of the Union was peace and to ensure that we never again witnessed the devastation brought about by the Second World War.

In the period following the war, the European Union has been transformed into a progressive, united and democratic Union based on the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights. We can be very proud of the fact that Ireland has been part of that since 1972 and 1973. The Irish people supported our membership overwhelmingly and were very happy to join the EU. It is 50 years since the then Taoiseach, Mr. Jack Lynch, signed the treaty of accession and the Irish people voted in a referendum to join. A poll back in 1972 showed 83% support.A similar poll today shows it at 88%. Not only have we maintained that support in the past 50 years, which is no mean feat, we have increased support in this country.

The Schuman Declaration of 1950 states:

Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create ade factosolidarity.

That statement is as valid today as it was 72 years ago. We must always remind ourselves that what we have built in our European Union community is fragile and a work in progress. We must protect the European Union and all of its values and continue to work to ensure all citizens are served by our policies.

From its core economic beginnings, the European Union has grown to be an advocate and champion for workers' rights, equality, climate justice and social justice and it has ensured that across member states, standards of living have increased with better homes, cleaner water, fresher air and higher wages. When we think of the transformation Ireland has undergone since it joined the European Union 50 years ago, in some ways, our country is unrecognisable and for the better.

The founding members of the European Union spoke about the need for solidarity. They understood the absolute necessity for member states to be economically linked and to rise and prosper together. When one member state is hurting, we all hurt and there is an incentive to protect and support one another because of this interdependence. Brexit is a perfect example of the value of this solidarity. As a small member state, Ireland received full and overwhelming support from our European colleagues. The challenge to our small country was viewed as a challenge for the European Union and the guard came up right across member states. Despite an attempt to divide and conquer, there was no chink to be found in the European armour and Ireland found itself with the backing of the European Union and the United States. Not only did this protect our interests in what could have been a devastating event for our country and economy, it sent a clear message that we are a Union, united in our support for each other and the values that we as members have chosen to subscribe to. Smaller member states and citizens of smaller member states needed to hear this message and see the actions that flowed from it. We knew that after the Brexit vote our solidarity would be tested and the future as a bloc questioned. We have answered our critics and secured the EU's future.

The European Union is being tested yet again with the war in Ukraine. Our response to the Russian invasion of a sovereign democratic country in Europe at our borders will be crucial. Not only are we dealing with a large-scale humanitarian crisis and a level of migration not seen in Europe since the Second World War, we are also dealing with an energy crisis and impending food supply disruptions. Stronger together is still our message. The European Union will have to respond to protect our citizens, to uphold the values we ascribe to and to make sure that we do the right thing by the Ukrainian people.

Maintaining solidarity among member states and among citizens is as crucial today as it was in 1970.