EU offers best platform to advance Irish interests

Speaking at the Open Europe Conference for EU Reform, in London today, the Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe T.D., said that despite the challenges faced by the EU, the Union offers the best platform to our country to represent and advance our national interest.

Minister Donohoe was taking part in a keynote panel debate which asked the question ‘Where does democratic authority lie in the EU?’ Joining the Minister on the panel was the UK Minister for European Affairs, David Lidington; and the former Austrian State Secretary for European Affairs, Reinhold Lopatka.

“Ireland is an integrated and committed member of the EU. And, with the consent of our people, will remain so. With all of its imperfections, difficulties and frustrations, however, it still offers the best platform for our country to represent and advance what is in our national interest.

“The EU has, in the past, faced numerous challenges and frustrations. And it will continue to do so into the future. However, Europe is more like a family than a business; you have to make a it work, not cast it aside in the vain hope of finding a new one.

“Democratic authority within the EU comes from the people, who confer it – directly and indirectly – on the Institutions. They do this through their National Parliaments, the European Parliament, and the Commission, all of which are working on their behalf and in their interest.

“Our membership of the EU has been a decisive and positive factor in our past and the Irish Government is certain that by working within the Union it will be the same in our future. To ensure the continued strength of the Union we must make the existing Treaties work, and implement full use of the tools that are available to us, such as reasoned opinions and yellow cards.

“The Union has helped to reset and enhance our relationship with our nearest neighbour, Britain, whose membership has had a positive influence on policy formation at EU level. Ireland has, when necessary, made different strategic choices to the UK where the EU is concerned and will continue to do so. That said, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the European Union is a stronger place with the UK in it.

“By working together, and within the structures of the EU, we can minimise the destructive forces we wish to avoid, such as instability or the excesses of a globalised economy, while, at the same time, promoting things, such as shared prosperity and security, that have an positive and beneficial impact on our lives.”