Dáil debates
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
European Union Values
2:00 pm
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
I agree that last year's Europe Day events were a great success. I believe I heard in the Minister of State's response an invitation to Members on all sides of the House to participate in organising this year's events. However, one does not need to engage in polling or avail of the services of focus groups to realise Irish citizens and, one suspects, citizens throughout Europe increasingly feel alienated from the institutions of the European Union. Does the Minister of State accept, for example, that the unprecedented manner in which President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel frequently pose as the de facto leaders of the Union is proving problematic? Does she accept that we must actively engage at national level in educating citizens about the positive aspects of the Union? Does she also accept that in this country, in addition to undertaking such a positive initiative as Europe Day, there is a need to engage actively across the country, perhaps by setting up a structure similar to the Forum on Europe, to bring a positive message about the Union to the people? Does she further accept that what would be seen throughout the country as the marked reluctance of the Government to engage with the public on the fiscal treaty by way of a possible referendum on the issue is contributing to public unease and scepticism about the entire European project?
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