Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome President von der Leyen to this joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas. On behalf of the Social Democrats, I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on what is an historic occasion. In exactly one month, we will mark the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining what was then the European Economic Community. We do so as the region faces one of its greatest perils, namely, the barbaric invasion of Ukraine. We in Ireland stand firmly with other EU member states with Ukraine and against Putin's regime. We will not waver from this position.

Ireland has always been an enthusiastic member of the EU and the consequences of membership have been, in the main, positive for us. Membership has fast-tracked social and economic progress that would otherwise have taken much longer to advance or, indeed, that may not have happened at all. From establishing the principle of equal pay for men and women in 1974, through almost five decades to last year's ban on single-use plastics, EU law governing such things as anti-discrimination and equality, dignity and respect in the workplace, environment conservation and pollution reduction, economic good practice, data protection, and so much more, have pushed reluctant Irish Governments to do the right thing sooner than they might otherwise have done.

The principle of free movement which allows Irish citizens to work and travel all over the EU has been a great benefit to millions of Irish people. Our country has been greatly enriched when EU citizens have travelled here. Significant economic benefits have accrued to Ireland as well. Most notably, access to the Single Market and moneys from the Structural Fund did so much to assist our infrastructural development at a time when the Irish economy was something of a poor relation in Europe. It is safe to say that Ireland would be a less developed and less progressive country had we not joined what is now the EU.

It is also fair to say, however, that it has not all been positive. Being forced to bail out the bondholders during one of our lowest ebbs is a case in point. The increased militarisation of fortress Europe and its consequences for desperate migrants, thousands of whom have died trying to reach our shores, must be regarded as shameful. The bloc's fiscal policy, of course, must also come under the microscope. The goal of the Stability and Growth Pact is to maintain fiscal stability within the Union. The pact's suspension to allow member states to provide unprecedented support throughout the Covid-19 crisis was a tacit acceptance of its limitations. This welcome suspension is also surely evidence of the need for increased flexibility on a more permanent basis. It is not only economic shocks that require fiscal flexibility and the ability to react to circumstances.

It is not news to anyone in this Chamber that Ireland is facing - and has been for several years - a raft of crises in different policy areas, most notably housing and health. We have also committed to taking extraordinary and unprecedented action to reshape our economy and society to meet our international climate-related obligations. I fear that in spite of the obvious need for significant Government intervention in these areas, Ireland - and indeed other countries - will continue to be constrained in its ability to meet the challenge of dealing with these crises. The fiscal rules have been suspended, as we know, until 2024. The reality, however, is that the rules need to be reformed and not reinstated. I hope the EU can learn from its mistakes and live up to the ideals which it claims to profess. Otherwise, we will undoubtedly be doomed to repeat them. I thank the President.