Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2012
39 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail any proposals which the European Union Division of his Department are preparing concerning reform of the European treaties. [16231/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the European Union has experienced an unprecedented economic crisis in recent years. It has taken significant steps to address this, including through strengthening the Stability and Growth Pact; undertaking banking reform; putting the EFSF and the ESM in place; and, for most Member States, agreement on the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. These steps will help to place European economies on a more sustainable footing, and will ensure that the mistakes that contributed to the crisis cannot not be repeated in the future. This process of reform will continue.
In addition, there is consensus that the Union must intensify its efforts to generate growth and job creation, so as to ensure that Europe recovers and moves beyond crisis. The Government has long argued that such an approach is required and is pleased that its analysis is now fully shared, including at the highest level in the European Council.
The Government believes that this work must remain the absolute priority in the period ahead, and it does not see a process of Treaty change as an essential part of this immediate effort. It is not, therefore, engaged in preparing specific proposals in that regard.
