Written answers

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Presidency Programme

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will, during the course of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, encourage his EU colleagues to rediscover the original vision of Europe as set out by Monnet, Schuman, Adenauer and others with particular reference to the urgent need to ensure that European leaders speak with a common cause and purpose, mindful of the need for unity and solidarity on matters affecting the persons within and outside the Eurozone; if it is expected to set particular or specific targets in this regard in respect of areas that have become known to require particular attention in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The founding fathers of European integration sought to develop a Europe of peace, security and prosperity for its people. The success of the European project can be in no doubt today in that regard. However, the considerable challenges that Ireland and the EU face today are very different to those of sixty years ago. Our values remain the same. But the challenge of delivering to our citizens increases as our economic and social challenges grow.

The Irish Presidency programme published last week identifies three main priorities: Stability, Jobs and Growth. During the European Year of Citizens there is no greater result that we could deliver for our people than ensuring that our Presidency leads to renewed and sustainable economic growth and job creation, built on strong and secure foundations. The best hope for prosperity, securing stability across the EU, is in creating an environment for job creation. Nowhere is this more important than in addressing youth unemployment, which is now reaching unsustainable dimensions.

The Presidency will focus intensively on pushing ahead with the introduction of a Youth Employment Package, which includes a “Youth Guarantee”, a consultation on “Quality Framework for Traineeships” and a proposal for a “European Alliance for Apprenticeships”. We cannot afford to have a lost generation of young unemployed Europeans. We will not be found wanting as a Presidency in addressing this challenge.

I have been greatly encouraged in my recent consultations with our partners by the extent to which the Irish Presidency’s objectives are widely shared and supported. The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission whom we met in Dublin last week also expressed their strong support for Ireland’s Presidency priorities, and we also have received broad support from the European Parliament, where the Taoiseach is presenting Ireland’s Presidency programme this morning. The history of European integration has demonstrated that the EU is at its most effective when Member States act together. The Single Market is proof of this, and as Presidency, Ireland will seek to respond to the challenges that face all Member States with common actions and solutions. In today’s globalised market with strong links between economies, such coordinated responses are more critical than ever. This is why the Government is attaching strong importance to reaching agreement on outstanding Single Market Act measures, to creating new opportunities for EU business, especially for SMEs, and supporting President Van Rompuy in securing agreement on the EU’s future financing to mobilise investment in areas including agriculture and cohesion funding.

The Irish Presidency programme published last week sets out in greater detail our priorities and also how we plan to deliver results for Europe’s citizens.

Future economic recovery and job creation depend on creating a stable economic environment. This is why we will work to advance the Banking Union proposals and specifically to win agreement on a Single Supervisory Mechanism. Effective implementation of the EU’s economic governance measures will also promote stability and confidence for business, consumers and investors, fuelling economic recovery and job creation.

As Presidency, Ireland will also seek to create new markets for EU exporters by making progress on trade agreements with key partners. Expanding opportunities for EU products and services abroad will be vital to our future economic growth in Ireland and Europe.

Europe’s priorities are also key national priorities for Ireland in terms of resolving bank debt, stabilising the Euro, and anchoring economic recovery. Never has our agenda in Ireland been so aligned with the priorities of the Union. As Presidency, the Government looks forward to meeting the challenges ahead and to delivering strong and tangible results for citizens in Ireland and across the Union.

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