Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, T.D., stresses importance of our relationship with Europe

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Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, T.D., stresses importance of our relationship with Europe

Speaking today at the annual State of the Union address to the Institute of International and European Affairs, Minister Martin said:

"All available evidence confirms that there is a strong desire for Ireland to remain a central player in the European Union, and continue a tradition of punching above its weight. It is my firm assessment that this cannot be fully ensured if we are unable to come to terms with our European partners on the future functioning of the Union. This means that we must strive to resolve our difficulties concerning the Lisbon Treaty and facilitate its ratification.

In June, the people were asked to amend the constitution and they replied that they were not ready to do so at that time. We have since worked hard to understand why that was, and to meet the concerns articulated during the referendum campaign. We listened to the views we heard on the doorsteps, in our constituency offices and undertook independent detailed research.

We have communicated those concerns to our partners in Europe and negotiated with them, winning substantial progress on issues of concern to the Irish people, including agreement to the retention of a Commissioner nominated by every member state on a permanent basis.

We have much recent evidence of the Union’s capacity to make a difference. The Union has played a key role in international efforts to deal with the global financial crisis. It is also giving a lead to the international community in the area of climate change. The current gas supply crisis further underlines the value of an effective Union in dealing with such fundamental issues as energy security. These are issues that cannot be properly handled by individual countries acting alone.

The Lisbon Treaty reflects our values and supports our interests. A more efficient Union, a more democratic Union, a Union that supports workers’ rights and the pro-competitiveness agenda, effective and well-defined security cooperation and a strengthened role for national parliaments. The Lisbon Treaty remains a very necessary adjustment of the Union’s rules so as to allow a larger Union to act in an effective and accountable manner.

The vote last June was an opportunity as well as a challenge for us. It asserted our interest, our concern and engagement, our worry about the Union’s distance from ordinary people.

We need to think about the big picture of Ireland’s future in Europe alongside the details of Lisbon Treaty. There is a need to decide where we stand. Do we want to continue working with others on an agreed European agenda or do we want to stand alone and take our chances in an economically turbulent world? Do we wish to combine with our fellow Europeans in protecting vulnerable people in Chad and in serving the cause of peace in the Balkans? My answer is yes. This is the kind of future that I want for Ireland.

Assuming that we get the legal guarantees we want, I look forward with confidence, and with trust in the people, to another European referendum this year. I do not want a repeat of last year’s morass of misinformation and eurosceptic phobias, but a mature debate focused on the bigger picture. This will provide an important opportunity for us to think carefully about the kind of Ireland we want for the future and about the role we want Ireland to play in Europe and in the wider world."

Note for editors:

The full text of Minister Martin’s speech is available on www.dfa.ie

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15 January 2009

Press Office