Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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898. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which any particular emphasis is placed on efforts within the European Union to address the issue of Euroscepticism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There is no doubt that the continuing effects of the economic and fiscal crisis, combined with the ongoing challenges of globalisation and demographic change, have had consequences for public confidence in EU institutions – as is also the case for national institutions in many countries. This in turn has led to some rise in support for those who are sceptical towards or are in outright opposition to the European project. This is a concern of all Member States and the EU institutions themselves and is a point which is raised in general discussions at European level. However, I believe that the majority of Europe’s citizens still look to the EU as indispensable to managing common challenges. It is worth recalling that, despite heightened public criticism of the EU, the European Parliament elections of 2014 returned a substantial majority of pro-EU parties and candidates.

It should also be recognised that the scale of the migration crisis, possibly Europe’s greatest current challenge, is partly a reflection of the success of the EU. The EU has evolved to become a beacon of security, stability and prosperity across the European continent, so much so that people are prepared to risk their lives to seek sanctuary here.

The European Council, and also the Commission and Parliament, have recognised that we must focus relentlessly on the key issues which affect citizens’ lives and their futures, and I believe that this is reflected in the policy and legislative priorities the institutions have set for themselves - most recently in the Commission’s annual work programme, which was published on 28 October.

In respect of Irish citizens, it is worth noting that the most recent Euro barometer surveys record 57% of Irish respondents as having a positive image of the EU, as against 12% negative, with 77% reporting that they were optimistic about the future of the Union - the highest percentage of any member state.