There is an increasing level of Euroscepticism in Ireland, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Helen McEntee said populist voices are portraying the European Union as a “convenient” source of blame for the country’s challenges, reports Breaking News.
The minister is due to deliver her first major policy address on Ireland’s forthcoming EU presidency on Thursday.
At an event hosted by the European Parliament Liaison Office and the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Ms McEntee will outline the latest preparations for Ireland’s presidency in the second half of this year, along with positions on EU values, security and competitiveness, reports Breaking News.
She will say the world is entering “a new moment in history” where “assumptions we once took for granted are being challenged”, reports Breaking News.
Ms McEntee believes Ireland continues to show strong support for the EU but will say she is “concerned by a rising level of Euroscepticism”.
She is expected to say: “It’s still a whisper but it’s growing louder, reports Breaking News.
“It puts forward the seductive populist claim that our problems – and like everybody else we have our problems – do not lie in our own hands, they must be the fault of somebody else – and the EU or Brussels is a convenient somebody, reports Breaking News.
“I want to foster a national conversation on Europe because we cannot cede the stage to these voices – we cannot allow these whispers to go unchallenged”, reports Breaking News.
Ms McEntee will add: “Without security, there can be no prosperity; without competitiveness, we cannot sustain our societies; and without values, none of it matters”, reports Breaking News.
The Council of the European Union is composed of ministers from EU member states, organised by policy area, and is responsible for debating legislation and shaping the EU’s agenda.
Ireland will assume the presidency of the council from July to December, a period that will include hosting an informal meeting of EU leaders and a summit of the European Political Community, reports Breaking News.
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