Today’s proceedings mark the first address to Dáil Éireann by a President of the European Parliament. It is fitting that this is the case.
Not only because Ireland is to assume the role of Presidency of the Council of Ministers in a few short months, but also because it represents a unique opportunity for the President of the European Parliament to address the representatives of the Irish people and in turn to hear their views.
This is particularly important at a time of significant challenge for us, as we confront and overcome the difficulties imposed by the impact of the crisis in the Eurozone - including continuing to meet exacting targets in successfully implementing a challenging programme of economic reform.
As a passionate believer in the European project and the unbridled value of the European Parliament, I intend to focus in my remarks on its role, which has been, rightly so, considerably enhanced in recent years.
The European Parliament is rightly proud of its status as the only directly elected EU institution. They are on the frontline of democracy as places where we debate the impact of policies on the day-to-day lives of all of us.
While the European Parliament is a unique institution, it nonetheless shares a common objective with national Parliaments - of representing citizens’ and working to secure their best interests.
While I touch on this point, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Irish MEPs over many years and, in particular, the contribution of Pat Cox as a distinguished predecessor of President Schulz. [I would also like to welcome the MEPs who are present to hear the debate today].
As with the European Union itself, the Parliament has evolved and adapted over time. It is a living institution – growing and developing.
The most recent example of this being that, since the Lisbon Treaty, Parliament now co-legislates on an equal footing with the Council in the majority of areas within the Union’s competence.
The Parliament has always brought a more direct perspective from EU citizens to bear on complex and sometimes confusing subjects. Since Lisbon, and despite the complexities of the legislative process, the European Parliament and the Council are working even more successfully together, delivering across a range of sectors – such as strengthening the single market and supporting jobs and innovation. These are critical areas for the future of Europe and will be a key focus of our Presidency.
For any Presidency to succeed, an effective alliance with the European Parliament has to be among the key goals. The Irish Government is committed to forging such a relationship with the Parliament during our Presidency.
But we also look forward to a more in-depth relationship thereafter, with greater engagement in the work and corridors of the Parliament by the Government and by the Oireachtas.
Since taking office in 2011, the Government has demonstrated that we see the Parliament as central to our interests in the EU and, crucially, to our EU Presidency. Irish Government Ministers have met face to face with almost 120 MEPs to date - including the President, vice-Presidents, Committee Chairs, political group leaders and co-ordinators, rapporteurs and shadow-rapporteurs. This level of engagement will intensify further both as we approach the beginning of our Presidency and right throughout our term.
For my own part, I have been present at almost every Plenary session in Strasbourg since last November. I have met with the Chairs and key members of a range of committees and political groups, relevant to our Presidency priorities. Being present in Parliament, meeting and talking with MEPs, has provided me with valuable insight into the range of perspectives within the Parliament and it is an element of my work which I consider to be indispensable.
Next month, President Schulz will return to Dublin, leading a delegation of the European Parliament’s political leaders. The delegation will meet with the Government to discuss Ireland’s priorities for the Presidency. A number of the Parliament’s Committees will also visit Dublin before the end of the year.
Separately, the leading political groups within the Parliament are due to visit Dublin in November.
These face-to-face contacts provide strong foundations for relations with the Parliament during our Presidency. Today’s address by President Schulz also has a key part to play in building the mutual understanding and trust which is such a vital part of successful Presidencies.
However the value of these engagements goes beyond the Presidency.
The legislative powers of the Parliament cover a range of policy areas from:
- research and development to justice and home affairs
- climate change to regional policy and
- financial market regulation to agriculture and fisheries.
A deeper appreciation of the Parliament’s perspective in these areas can only serve to enrich our participation in Council decision-making beyond the Presidency. Put simply engagement with the European Parliament is in our interest if we want to be centrally involved in the decision making process of the European Union.
Substantial legislative work is continually underway between the Parliament and the Council, with the rotating Presidency playing a key role. Many important proposals will continue into our Presidency from the Cypriot Presidency.
For example, the Cypriot Presidency is taking forward work on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, or MFF, and I hope we can see agreement within the European Council on that in November. This being the case, we will be responsible for taking forward some 70 pieces of sectoral legislation which will stem from the agreement.
But Parliament’s agreement to the overall budget is essential, and there have been ongoing and close contacts between the representatives of the Parliament and of the Council as the discussions have developed. Many issues related to the MFF will be discussed and debated in Parliament during Ireland’s Presidency.
As Presidency, we will work steadfastly to make progress on this demanding legislative workload - within the Council - and through dialogue with the Parliament.
The Irish Government will have a number of commitments in the European Parliament during the Irish Presidency. The Taoiseach will present the Government’s priorities to the Plenary in Strasbourg next January, and the majority of Government Ministers will make presentations to the Parliament’s Committees in Brussels the following week.
I will represent the Council during Plenary debates in Strasbourg, as indeed will my colleagues. In December, I will meet with the Parliament’s Conference of Committee Chairs to discuss legislative priorities across of all of our Presidency sectors.
I mentioned at the outset the role of national Parliaments and I know that this subject is of particular interest to President Schulz, who has expressed the view that involving national Parliaments in European decision-making helps to engage, and win the trust of, citizens.
I also share this interest, having chaired a Committee on this issue during the last Dáil.
One common thread to emerge from that process is the challenge of engaging national parliamentarians in EU policy areas.
The Lisbon Treaty represented considerable progress in involving national Parliaments in the functioning of the Union. But challenges remain and I think it fair to say that we are still at an evolving stage in terms of national Parliaments engaging effectively at EU level.
A related challenge is the difficulty of communicating the role of the institutions - and the implications of EU membership - to citizens. Now, above all times, it is appropriate that we create time for discussion of that subject. I see this as a central component of the work that we will be undertaking during the European Year of Citizens, during which we will assume the Presidency.
The challenges of parliamentary and citizen engagement are intertwined. On coming into Government we made a number of proposals to enhance the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas in relation to Europe. Many of these are now in place.
All Oireachtas Committees scrutinise draft EU legislation within their areas of expertise. Committees meet with Government Ministers prior to Council meetings to discuss the agenda.
The Taoiseach briefs the Dáil on the agenda and outcome of European Council meetings. The Houses are also preparing their own substantial programme of inter-parliamentary meetings for the Presidency.
These are welcome developments, however more can be done to deepen Oireachtas engagement. The European Parliament has been innovative and ambitious in exercising its role under the Lisbon Treaty to the fullest extent. There is scope for the Houses of the Oireachtas to do likewise.
I know that the Chairs of the Houses and their Committees are actively engaged with this objective.
The Government is also committed to working effectively with the Houses of the Oireachtas.
[As the Ceann Comhairle mentioned in his opening remarks,] discussions are underway on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Houses in relation to EU Affairs, in order to provide greater structure to our respective commitments.
This work is all the more important given the evolving agenda towards deeper political integration at EU level. More effective engagement by national Parliaments will be necessary. There will be no alternative.
If I may, I would like to borrow from President Schulz’ inaugural address to the European Parliament in January this year:
“the EU is not a zero-sum game -...it means resolving disputes by means of dialogue and consensus, basing decisions on the principles of solidarity and democracy and not simply deferring to the more powerful...- and placing the common good above individual interests”.
These are universal principles to which we can all subscribe. They hold particular resonance for us as a small EU Member State preparing for our Presidency next year.
We will aim to constructively resolve the disputes which inevitably arise during the detailed negotiations which are part and parcel of the co-decision process. We will work with the Parliament in a spirit of mutual respect and trust, and with due regard for our respective roles and mandates.
We look forward to working successfully with the European Parliament during this time in the interests of all EU citizens.
Ceann Comhairle,
I would like again to express our warm appreciation for the visit of President Schulz to Ireland. In his visit, he has made a point of engaging with the public, including in public debate at University College Dublin, and he made a valuable point when he went to see first hand a programme where young people can re-skill to re-enter the jobs market, I think his choice of programme augurs well for our cooperation as we move into the Presidency.
For my own part, I look forward to attending the plenary sessions of the European Parliament from now right through our Presidency as we intensify our engagement.
In closing, we look forward very much to President Schulz's return at the end of next month accompanied by the political leaders from the European Parliament, a visit which will build on the work done yesterday and today, and further prepare both sides for a successful collaboration over the course of the next nine months and beyond.