Bernard J. Durkan
Question:5 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on future European integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22409/00]
Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - European Integration.
The European Union has evolved, and continues to evolve, with the broadening of its borders through successive enlargements and the deepening of political and economic co-operation among partners. The changes in Europe over the last decade following the fall of the Berlin Wall will be matched by the challenge of integrating into the Union the newly acceding countries of eastern Europe. This in turn will be a major factor in determining the pace and direction of the integration process as the task of maintaining and consolidating the Union continues into the future.
As I have stated previously Ireland views this prospect positively. We are in favour of integration in the sense of further developing and deepening the manner in which we Europeans freely co-operate and work together, while respecting our diversity. We have consistently emphasised in European discussions that the strength of the Union is a function of the unique balances which underpin it, in particular those between the institutions, and between the institutions and the member states. This framework has served as a valuable protection of the interests of smaller member states. We will wish to ensure as the Union develops that these distinctive and essential features remain in place.
It is recognised, including by the institutions themselves, that there is a continuing need to review existing arrangements and, in particular, to ensure within the Union that issues are dealt with at the most appropriate level. In certain areas, in relation to the Single Market, for example, this requires that decisions be taken at Community level. In others, or in relation to the implementation of decisions taken in a Community framework, the responsibility will more appropriately rest at national or regional level. As the House will be aware, we have consistently argued that taxation, for example, must remain a matter for decision at national level, bearing in mind its importance in the overall management of the economy.
While taking full account of the functional effectiveness of the Union and its institutions, the level of integration appropriate to the Union must also take into account the requirements of democratic legitimacy. The Union remains a combination of the supra-national and the inter-governmental. It is for this reason we believe the Commission's composition must reflect the involvement of all member states. We believe this makes for a stronger Commission, and one which will best be in a position to play the key role allocated to it under the Treaty.
Ireland has gained very significantly from membership of the European Union and has at the same time made a positive contribution to the Union's development. We have consistently favoured broadening the Union through enlargement, and, through our participation in EMU, for example, have shown ourselves ready to embrace deepening of the Union. The key achievements of the Union – the Single Market, the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Economic and Monetary Union – reflect the willingness of European leaders to act on a vision of a shared future. We intend to continue to play our full part in that future.
Is the Minister keenly aware of the necessity to reiterate Ireland's position, as he has just indicated, whenever possible in order to give reassurance to our European colleagues of the consistency of our approach?
Yes, I agree with Deputy Durkan. There is a clear understanding among our colleagues in the Union that we are communautaire. We are very committed to the question of European integration. The integration of the European economy has been a primary factor in the sustained economic growth we have enjoyed. The ability of the Union, for example, to complete the Single Market, to bring competitive pressures to bear in many areas of the economy, has brought greater efficiency, greater competitiveness and greater opportunity for job creation and has certainly developed an enterprise culture here, both in the public and private sectors, and that is to be welcomed.
We have consistently stated that we are in favour both of a widening and deepening of the Union but we need to make sure in conducting this debate that we recognise the institutional balances in the Union have played a major role in its success. The composition of the Union and how it operates is sui generis compared to any other regional organisation in the world. We must be mindful, when we are discussing the changing of those balances – and the intergovernmental conference to be completed in Nice is part of that reassessment, reappraisal and evolution which takes place continually as we prepare for enlargement – that we do so in a way which promotes the coherence of the Union and which does not lead to more fragmentary trends.
From a reply to a previous Question, I know the Minister is aware of the speeches by some of his ministerial colleagues. One quotation from one of those Boston tea party speeches was that Ireland was located in Europe but our soul was in Boston or elsewhere. Where is the Minister's soul and the nation's soul as a result?
Tullamore.
I welcome this tremendous facility of the Opposition to paraphrase totally inaccurately speeches made by Ministers.
Two Ministers.
Any number of Ministers. I have read carefully the statements of Ministers. Unfortunately there is always an attempt—
Was that in it?
I am particularly making the point that to date I have not heard a direct quote to back up any of these assertions.
That is one of them.
Our relationships with the United States and the European Union are complementary. We, as members of the European Union, have an excellent relationship within the European Union and we have a good relationship with the United States, and we intend to keep that. It is in the national interest that we maintain good relations with both the United States, the European Union and other parts of the world.
It depends where he is giving the speech.
No. The point is that there is an attempt to portray that it is a choice – either/or – here, which is foolish and is not the case. There is also an attempt to suggest that there is some deviation from the European social model when one discusses enhancing one's relationship with the United States. That is a contention with which I simply do not agree, and is not at issue.
Understandably so.
These are complementary. Ireland is an open economy dependent on foreign direct investment as well as building indigenous industry and its own employment and enterprise culture. We must be open to ensuring that we maintain proper relationships which defend our national interests. It is in our national interests to enjoy good relationships with both the European Union, as members, and the United States and not exclusively in those two areas of the world either. We must ensure good relations, both bilateral and multilateral, with other parts of the world and that is our position, but there is always this attempt to simplify and render simplistic these relationships which does a total injustice, both to the content of what the Ministers have been saying and the context in which we operate.
Does he think our souls are in danger?
The time for Priority Questions has expired. We must proceed to the Other Questions.
It is the last time she will be in Boston.
Mr. Hayes
At a tea party anyway.