Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for being here with us. As my colleague Senator O'Loughlin has said about Europe, we should celebrate all things Europe. That is what Europe Day is about. It offers us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the EU. I will highlight initiatives that I am familiar with, such as the Erasmus programme. This enables students from all over Europe to engage in study and research across institutions in the EU. My alma mater, Trinity College Dublin, has become a hugely popular destination for European students. It participates well in the Erasmus. I am pleased so many chose to study in Ireland. Not only that, the experience they gain from life in Ireland will surely stand to them and also benefit us when they return to their own countries with fond memories and expressions of Ireland. Europe Day must prompt us to examine the bigger picture. In May 1950, Robert Schuman made his grand proposal which laid the foundations for what became the European Union as we know it. He outlined a vision of grand proportions and it was not just about mere economics. It was about interlinking the economies of Germany and France through the coal and steel pact. It created a situation that marked a break with the history of inter-European wars motivated by ultranationalism.

Since then, Europe has evolved and expanded as a geopolitical and economic power. The tragic return of war to the Continent of Europe has increased demands for further political integration in Europe. It logically follows that this would lead to a greater militarisation of Europe. We have seen a moving away from the grand pronouncements of the likes of Schuman. Instead, in recent years and months, we have seen a new focus on deal-making and crude bargaining between countries. There is a revealing moment in the news today, with the brutally frank demands of President Trump to Ukraine. For the US to give support, it must have access to the mineral resources of Ukraine. That marks a move away from the international liberal order. If that is the case, Ireland must also face this reality even if we do not like it.

This will impact how we think about the European Union and our role and future within it. I am confident that the Irish people will have a strong say and will play a large part in shaping the direction of the EU. However, the sovereignty of the states within the European Union will, naturally enough, be questioned. I know the Minister of State has said it is not going to be an issue but it will be questioned in the light of inevitable further integration. I stress the importance and continued relevance of national sovereignty as a principle. It is not a concept that is alien to European values.

As we mark Europe Day, we, as a country, must be conscious of what is around the corner. Further EU integration will involve greater military alignment and co-ordination. It will challenge our principles of neutrality and sovereignty. Most Irish people wish to preserve these policies, which are cornerstones of our identity as a State. Our neutrality and independence have served us well and have allowed us to be an honest broker on the international stage.

I would love to hear greater conversation in political life and in both Houses about our national direction and how we will meet the challenges of this changing Europe. It is important to consider how best to maintain our sovereignty and neutrality. These are not just abstract concepts or mundane policies; they are principles which generations of Irishmen and Irishwomen have struggled and fought for.