Martin Daly: Europe Day — EU's role in Ireland's peace and future
Martin Daly marked Europe Day with a reflection on the European Union's history and its significance for Ireland, arguing the EU is a symbol of shared values and has delivered social, economic and political benefits. He credited EU membership with helping secure lasting peace on the island of Ireland and urged action to strengthen defence, energy independence and institutional reform in response to current threats.
Martin Daly described a 74-year journey in which the EU grew from a simple idea into more than a political and economic project - a symbol of shared values, democracy, the rule of law, solidarity and a commitment to human dignity. He called for the Union to continue evolving to be more agile, responsive and closer to its citizens.
He said Ireland benefited from parity of political status as a full member and argued one of the greatest legacies of EU membership was securing lasting peace on the island of Ireland. The EU provided a political forum for Irish and British politicians to meet, citing the example of John Hume and Ian Paisley working together in the European Parliament and the decisive support from the EU and the US that underwrote the Belfast Agreement.
Martin Daly warned that this year's commemoration comes amid profound challenges, including Russia's illegal evasion of Ukraine, which has shaken Europe's security landscape. He welcomed the EU's united response and highlighted the need to strengthen defence capacity, achieve greater energy independence, enhance strategic autonomy and tackle climate change, cost of living pressures, migration and the risks of disinformation and authoritarian influence.
He urged constructive dialogue and balanced approaches to enlargement, institutional reform and economic competitiveness, saying Ireland should continue to be a voice for inclusivity, sustainability and fair opportunity within the Union. He concluded that Europe Day is a time to celebrate achievements and recommit to a Europe that is strong, united, principled and delivers real results for people - Go raibh maith agaibh.
Europe Day reflection
Martin Daly described a 74-year journey in which the EU grew from a simple idea into more than a political and economic project - a symbol of shared values, democracy, the rule of law, solidarity and a commitment to human dignity. He called for the Union to continue evolving to be more agile, responsive and closer to its citizens.
EU's role in Irish peace
He said Ireland benefited from parity of political status as a full member and argued one of the greatest legacies of EU membership was securing lasting peace on the island of Ireland. The EU provided a political forum for Irish and British politicians to meet, citing the example of John Hume and Ian Paisley working together in the European Parliament and the decisive support from the EU and the US that underwrote the Belfast Agreement.
Security and contemporary challenges
Martin Daly warned that this year's commemoration comes amid profound challenges, including Russia's illegal evasion of Ukraine, which has shaken Europe's security landscape. He welcomed the EU's united response and highlighted the need to strengthen defence capacity, achieve greater energy independence, enhance strategic autonomy and tackle climate change, cost of living pressures, migration and the risks of disinformation and authoritarian influence.
Calls for reform and Ireland's stance
He urged constructive dialogue and balanced approaches to enlargement, institutional reform and economic competitiveness, saying Ireland should continue to be a voice for inclusivity, sustainability and fair opportunity within the Union. He concluded that Europe Day is a time to celebrate achievements and recommit to a Europe that is strong, united, principled and delivers real results for people - Go raibh maith agaibh.
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Transcript
Minister, on this Europe Day, it falls to reflect on a remarkable journey, one that began 74 years ago with a simple but transformative idea that peace and cooperation could replace conflict and division on our continent. Today, the European Union is more than a political and economic project. It is a symbol of shared values, democracy, the rule of law, solidarity and a commitment to human dignity. Ireland has benefited enormously from our EU membership, socially and economically. We, as a full member of the EU, achieved a parity of political status that was not possible formally as a small country. Perhaps one of the greatest legacies has been the securing of lasting peace on the island of Ireland. The EU provided a political forum that allowed Irish and British politicians to meet regularly and build relationships, a forum that hadn't previously existed even in times of crisis. People as diverse as John Hume and Ian Paisley worked on common interests in the European Parliament, creating slow, and not always linear, building of confidence and trust that would culminate in the Belfast Agreement. It was the decisive support from the EU and also the US that brought momentum and weight to the process and underwrote the final agreement and helped sustain it through very difficult times. It is ironic, then, this year's commemoration comes at a time of profound challenge. Russia's illegal evasion of Ukraine has shaken Europe's security landscape. The EU's United response has been a powerful statement of solidarity and resolve. But it also highlights the importance of strengthening our capacity in defence, achieving greater energy independence and enhancing strategic autonomy. We face other tests, too, from climate change and the cost of living crisis to the pressures of migration and the risks posed by disinformation and authoritarian influence. These require not just shared policies, but a shared spirit of responsibility. Constructive dialogue is vital. The EU must continue to evolve, becoming more agile, responsive and closer to its citizens. Enlargement, institutional reform and economic competitiveness must be approached with vision and balance. Ireland should continue to be a voice for inclusivity, sustainability and fair opportunity within the Union. We should be committed to a Europe that is strong, united and principled, one that delivers real results for people while staying true to the ideals inspired by its foundation. Europe Day is a time to celebrate what we have built together and recommit to what lies ahead. Go raibh maith agaibh. Thank you very much, Deputy Roach. Thank you.