Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which, in the context of the White Paper on EU reform, the issues most likely to affect Ireland and the European Union in its entirety have so far emerged; his plans to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/17]
View answerOn 1 March the European Commission published a White Paper on the Future of Europe. As well as setting out the main achievements of the EU over the past six decades, the White Paper addresses the challenges that Europe is facing and presents five scenarios for how the Union could evolve by 2025, depending on how it chooses to respond.
The White Paper is presented as the start of the process, not the end, with the intention of starting a wide-ranging debate between the Governments and peoples of Europe on where our common future lies and what degree of ambition we hold.
I welcome the publication of the White Paper which contains much valuable food for thought both about the international context as it is now and may develop over the coming decade. The White Paper takes an open and non-prescriptive approach and is presented as an initial contribution to a Europe-wide discussion and debate. This open, inclusive and transparent approach is welcome and is in keeping with the need to renew the EU's contract with its citizens. The Commission is in the process of publishing a series of accompanying reflection papers on a range of diverse topics which will also contribute to the Europe-wide discussions that this White Paper seeks to initiate. Those papers address five distinct issues -
- developing the social dimension of Europe;
- deepening the Economic and Monetary Union;
- harnessing globalisation;
- the future of Europe's defence;
- the future of EU finances.
Like the White Paper, the reflection papers will offer different ideas, proposals, options or scenarios for Europe in 2025 without presenting definitive decisions at this stage.
The Commission intends to lead a public engagement strategy to discuss and debate the future of Europe in all member States. On a national basis, the Government and the Oireachtas should of course facilitate and encourage a wide ranging and full engagement by Ireland in this important debate about the future of Europe that reflects the very high levels of support that the Irish people give to our EU membership. My Department is currently examining a number of options for encouraging that debate.
