Written answers

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

Ireland's Future in Europe

5:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he proposes to take on a national basis to incorporate the findings and recommendations of the EU Sub-Committee on the Future of Ireland in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5258/09]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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When the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's future in the European Union was published at the end of November, I acknowledged the excellent analysis contained in the report and saluted the Chairman and all the members for their hard work.

The report represents a significant contribution by the Oireachtas to our national debate on EU issues at a challenging time for Ireland in the European Union. The report correctly recognises that Ireland's ability to defend its interests at EU level has been badly affected by our referendum result and that serious, long-term damage will arise if we fail to find a way forward.

The central, strategic policy recommendation is that a solution be found that keeps Ireland at the heart of Europe, while respecting the democratic will of the Irish people by ensuring that their concerns are met.

The report made an important contribution to the Government's strategy for the December European Council at which important progress was made in the form of a commitment to provide Ireland with legal guarantees on key issues. The European Council also agreed that, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, the European Commission will continue to include a nominee from each Member State. This was one of the Sub-Committee's key policy recommendations.

During the Oireachtas debate on the report in December, I made a commitment to give positive consideration to the report's proposals for action at national level. I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly in respect of the report's key recommendations on the role of the Oireachtas and on public information initiatives. Before doing so, I will be consulting with the Chairmen and the members of the Joint Committees on European Affairs and European Scrutiny in order to obtain their views on how best to advance the Sub-Committee's recommendations.

I agree with the Report's findings that there is work to be done to strengthen the role of the Oireachtas in EU affairs. Effective Oireachtas scrutiny is central to the task of bringing EU issues closer to ordinary people. The report favours the introduction of a formal scrutiny reserve system. This is an important proposal which requires serious consideration so that we can arrive at arrangements for the scrutiny of EU measures that will meet our particular national needs.

Since the Millward Brown research was published last September, I have been working on ways to improve the way we communicate with the public about European issues. I would like to see the Sub-Committee's recommendations taken forward in cooperation with the Oireachtas, the European Commission and the European Parliament, all of whom have a stake in more effective public communication on EU affairs.

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