Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

115. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent, if any, to which efforts are ongoing within the European Union to address the issue of Euro-scepticism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40911/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Actively communicating the work of the European Union and explaining the benefits and opportunities arising from membership is essential to ensuring a robust, united and democratic Europe.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, set out the political guidelines for the incoming Commission in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 18th July last. These are:

1.Building a more competitive Europe that balances regulation, and innovation that facilitates Europe’s green transition,

2.Boosting the EU’s defence ambitions,

3.Pushing social and economic policies such as affordable housing,

4.Sustaining agriculture and environmental policies,

5.Protecting Europe’s democracy, and

6.Standing up for Europe’s global and geopolitical interests.

The Government welcomes the focus on these priorities.

As Commissioner-designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, Michael McGrath will play a key role, particularly supporting Europe’s democracy, over the coming five years. Expected actions will include work on a new European Democracy Shield to address the most serious risks to democracy in the EU, building upon work already done on the European Democracy Action Plan and the Defence of Democracy Package; coordination of work on Disinformation; and setting up of a Civil Society Platform to support more systematic engagement on democracy, rule of law and related issues with civil society.

At a national level, my Department will continue to work on communicating Europe within Ireland. This work includes the annual Communicating Europe Initiative grants scheme for civil society and local authorities, the Blue Star primary schools EU education programme and the Access Europe programme to raise awareness of EU funding opportunities for civil society. It is important that we continue to promote the benefits of EU membership in order to counter negative perceptions of the EU.