Ireland must help shape EU’s future

THE European Commission last March presented a White Paper on the Future of Europe which also set out the main achievements of the EU, among them a peace spanning seven decades and an enlarged union of 500 million citizens living in freedom in one of the world’s most prosperous economies.

The Commission now plans to host a series of ‘Future of Europe Debates’ in the coming months to discuss a desired way forward and intends to further contribute to the process with a series of papers on developing the social dimension of Europe, deepening the Economic and Monetary Union, harnessing globalisation, and on the future of Europe’s defence and the future of EU finances.

It is long since past time for the Government to publish a comprehensive statement on Ireland’s future European policy. The debate is well under way throughout Europe, with some reports suggesting that the negotiations may even have started on the shape of Europe in five and 10 years’ time. Those who argue that Ireland must join this debate and that it must develop a strategy for influencing it are entirely correct.

Over the past years, Europe suffered the worst financial and economic crisis since World War II. The crisis took its toll. More than six million people lost their jobs, youth unemployment has reached record highs, several countries are still far from having sustainable growth and adequate levels of investment. In many countries, trust in the European project is at a record low.

There are strong indicators which show that Europe is finally emerging from the darkest days of the economic crash. So the time has arrived for detailed discussion that focuses on delivering a positive reform agenda. The EU must serve better the needs and wishes of people to live, study, work, move and prosper freely across the continent and to benefit from what is a rich European cultural heritage.

There is a need for improved communications with Europe’s citizens, clear and honest language and for the development of an EU that people can trust and support. In general, Europe’s citizens are concerned about a perceived lack of control and fears related to migration, terrorism, and economic and social insecurity.

In the next two years, Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, will lead some important discussions about the future of the Union. The new Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has been well advised to invite Mr Tusk to address the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, that in itself is not enough. Mr Varadkar needs to instruct his Cabinet and ministers to engage with the Opposition and with the people in general in a wideranging discussion on Ireland’s future relationship with the European Union.

At a time of Brexit, this is an important moment for Europe and decisions taken now will impact on the lives of citizens here for generations to come. The Government’s engagement with the public on this issue has been lacking. It is not good enough, if it ever was, to use forums in Europe as outlets to espouse domestic policy.

Europe is on the cusp of significant change and if Ireland, a de facto founding father of the European movement, wants to shape, direct and influence that change then the Government must seriously engage on these issues.