Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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736. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to address issues of Euroscepticism within the European Union, which if left unchecked will inevitably lead to a diminution of the influence of the European Union, with consequences for Member States, and particularly the smaller Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28944/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The crisis from which the eurozone is now emerging has impacted significantly on citizens across the EU. In that context, it is unsurprising that public confidence in the EU should have fallen. This, of course, is a concern for those who support the European project and something which, alongside the Governments of fellow EU Member States and the leaders of the EU institutions, we are working to address. The growth of Euroscepticism must be taken seriously, but it should not be overstated. In last year’s European elections, the vast majority of the European electorate endorsed pro-European parties and candidates, while Eurosceptics recorded significant gains in several larger Member States they made little impact in many others, losing a share of the vote in several cases. Since the election, a new European Commission has been appointed, headed by President Jean Claude Juncker, as well as a new High Representative and a new President of the European Council. The ‘‘refresh’’ of the institutions has presented an opportunity to refocus the work of the EU and to strengthen engagement with the public. To date, the new institutions appear to be doing just that, with President Juncker making good on his commitment to develop a Commission which is ‘’more ambitious on big things and more modest on little things’’.

It is encouraging to note that the latest Eurobaromoter surveys report public confidence and trust in the EU to be rising. It is particularly welcome that, according to the study, Ireland has registered the most significant increases in positive public assessment of the EU.

The Government is committed to building public understanding and knowledge about Ireland’s EU membership.

The Department of the Taoiseach’s Estimates include an allocation of €250,000 for supporting EU engagement. These funds support the activities of local community groups and non-governmental organisations through the Communicating Europe Initiative, contribute to the activities of European Movement Ireland and finance the very successful Blue Star EU Education Programme.

The Department also works closely with the Representation of the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Information Office in Dublin to improve communications on EU issues in Ireland and promote greater understanding of the EU.