Commissioner hogan, distinguished leaders of the political groups, members of the European Parliaments, dear friends, i want to say its a great privilege to be the first wither in your debates heads of government on the future of the European Union. Mr. President , i believe the European Union is that a Decisive Point in our history. Despite all the of peoples in recent years, the rise of populism and skepticism, nationalism, antidemocratic forces, we meet today in solidarity and with a renewed sense of purpose. The european ideal has always been inspired by the spirit of optimism and the belief in a Better Future. While that ideal has been tested, it has not been broken. Base of the achievements of the appetiteavent renewed to face the challenges of the future. 1947, representatives from 16 countries met in paris to discuss how they could resist economic decline and preserve political freedom. [speaking french] in 1947, we heard the importance of resisting economic decline and preserving political freedom. Ireland was one of the 16 countries. We saw there was no future for the people of europe other than as a union. This became clear shortly afterwards. Small countries played a significant role in development of europe. 1950s, was an important architect of integration also played a significant role in creating the european coal and steel community, and holding the missing a conference in sicily. Macina conference in sicily. 1955, the leading british politician dismissed this by saying they were sadly taking part in archaeological excavations. These excavations then went on to provide the foundation for the treaty of rome. We can see the strength of the european legacy. They had a vision for reconciliation and integration in europe that was so important we can see this in the work of helmut kohl and his belief as well. The importance of the quality among smaller countries as well. We can see this through the vision who believed they needed to be a deeper meaning to europe, a soul for europe. Otherwise the project would fail. He worked in creating a single currency for europe, the euro, and that is a significant legacy. This challenge to all of us is that we have to provide greater meaning for europe now. Mr. Varadkar promise of a Better Future as motivated people to work for the european ideal since the beginning. Speaking in this chamber today, i m reminded of one of the greatest figures in irish politics, and one of the greatest figures in politics from Northern Ireland, john hume,s birthday it is tomorrow and who served as a member of this Great Parliament for 25 years. He spoke many times about symbolism of the bridge not too far from here connecting strasburg to kel just across the border in germany. He spoke how easy and ordinary it was to walk across the bridge, and given europes dark history how remarkable and from out that ordinaryness was. John hume saw a model for how a lasting peace, however improbable, could be fostered and built. He saw how that model of people working together with a shared purpose and endeavor, spilling their sweat instead of blood could provide an inspiration for my own country. Today there is a piece bridge crossing the river foil, bringing together the divided communities and johns native city in Northern Ireland. A bridge the European Union helped build. Dear friends, it is hard to imagine the good friday agreement made without our shared membership in the European Union and its Single Market. In ireland we are having to contemplate our future without that foundation which underpinned it and made it possible. That is what the government highly has been so determined to protect the good friday agreements and all its parts and all that flows from it. That is why we have insisted there cannot be a return to a hard border environment. No new barriers to the movement of people or trade. It is why we are so deeply grateful for the remarkable solidarity and support from other number states. Member states. It is Proof Positive of why small countries benefit so much from membership in this union. [applause] mr. Varadkar and so, the irish people are profoundly grateful for the unswerving support of this parliament. In particular i want to thank your president , your coordinator, the leader of the bbp group, and all the political groups that have been so supportive. The solidarity of the parliament has been matched by the commission and council. I would like to thank president also to the council president. The European Union has consistently recognized the unique position of Northern Ireland, and the unique situation in which it finds itself given the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. A decision we respect. That, thending majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union. The majority of the representatives elected to the Ireland Assembly want to remain in the custom union and Single Market. It is likely the majority of People Living in Northern Ireland will remain european citizens after brexit because of the unique status under the good friday agreements, which allows them to be british citizens, hirer citizens or both irish citizens or both. The breakthrough achieved before christmas means the United Kingdom is guaranteed that whatever the future relationship with the European Union, a hard border on the island will be avoided. The common travel area and all associated rights that flow from it will be maintained. As the negotiations move forward in the face to, we look into phase two, we will rely on your solidarity to work what has been promised is delivered and practice. There can be no backsliding on this. It is important these commitments are fully reflected in the legal text of the withdrawal agreement, and firmly embedded in the u. K. s future relationship with the European Union, whatever shape that ultimately takes place. For my part i hope the new relationship that exists between United Kingdom and the European Union is as close and deep as possible, but consistent with the needs of the union to protect our internal markets and customs union. Mr. President , i was born european. Part of a new generation of political leaders that were born after our countrys joined the European Union or its predecessors. Beeneasure what has received and share the vision of the founders for further integration and cooperation. While i have always lived with the benefits of european membership, i have never taken them for granted. I very much value what was hardwon by past generations and with a sacrificed for us. That vision delivered peace in europe and opened the door for peace and prosperity in my own country. These values of solidarity, partnership and cooperation that are central to the european projects have brought ireland from the position of being one of the least developed Member States when we joined, to one of the most prosperous today. For us, your enabler transportation from being a country on the periphery to and ireland an ireland at the center of the world. Haspromise of europe allowed us to take our place among the nations of the world. So long with other Member States who benefited so much from the European Union, we have a particular responsibility to lead on the future of europe debate. We have much to offer and also much to give. I firmly believe it is our responsibility and i relish the opportunity. I think we should approach all of us the debate on the future of europe with the positive attitude, talking about what we want to achieve for our citizens rather than what we want to block or resist. Many challenges we face are increasingly global. They cannot be met by nationstates acting alone. Issues such as uncontrolled mass migration, climate change, cyber security, international trade, regulation of medicines and major corporations, many of whom are no bigger than states cannot be solved by 28 countries coming up with 28 different solutions. In unity there is security. In cooperation there is strength. As we say in the irish language, there is no strength without being together. We should welcome those who aspire to and are ready to take on the responsibilities and obligations of membership. The prospects of membership in the European Union can be a powerful motivator for those who seek to build peace and freedom and prosperity and democracy in the western balkans. These countries should be given the pathway to membership. Is president , i believe that all European Countries and members states will be small states in the future, given the perhaps they dont realize it yet. The only need to look at the list of the top 60 cities in the world in terms of population. Only one of the top 60 is in the European Union. It is currently getting ready to leave. In terms of population now, there is only one country in europe and the top 20 in the world. Its population is falling. On a global context we are very much now a union of small countries. I know the population does not equate to economic power, for military strength, but there can be no doubt these are also shifting east and south globally. I think we need to stick together if we are to protect what we have and continue to export our values and worldview. [applause] mr. Varadkar a europe Worth Building is a europe worth defending. With the launch which ireland was pleased to join, we are coming together to answer new threats in an inclusive way. The threats we face in the 21st century include site terrorism, international terrorism, uncontrolled mass migration, natural disasters, drugs and human trafficking. We want to be involved in european action against all of these. We definitely cant do it on her own. By country has a proud history of military neutrality. Participating in human peacekeeping operations Un Peacekeeping operations. We are not member of nato. In a wayarticipate that is consistent with those traditions, as other countries will too. I believe europe of the future must do for things. Four things. We must continue to do what we do well. We should focus on big new challenges facing europe in its citizens. Third, where appropriate, we should devolve powers back to municipalities and regions. We should engage more with citizens in direct democracy. Ireland has moved from being a net beneficiary of the budget to one that is now a contributor. We are looking to contribute more. Only a basic interior to the advancement of the european ideal and projects. Structural funds for such a in Eastern Europe to enable them to unlock the economic potential as we did. The European Union should continue to find well programs and policies that work and have withstood the test of time, such as the Common Agricultural and the European Investment bank among others. Budgets for these should be protected. Europe can do things in europe should do new things. New programs require new money. Ireland is a Founding Member of the euro and the Single Market. We were among the first to open our labor markets to europeans from central and Eastern Europe. We now want to see the completion of the Single Markets and a digital Single Market. Above all, a Single Market that serves interests of all around citizens and not just corporations. I want to commend this parliament on the work it has done to make the lives of europeans better by removing roaming charges on mobile phones and the union. That helps bring people together. The recent action on credit card charges, and likewise i commend the weight he championed air passenger rights and your plans for interrail. Now is the time to fulfill the promise of the Single Market in other areas. For example, take financial services. Sourance, mortgages, loans, people can get cheaper loans from european lenders and insurance if need be. I think it is something that would very much be welcomed by our citizens. I believe we should work much more closely on the cost of medicines and it innovations in particular new innovations in particular. This could save billions for taxpayers, ensuring modern medicines are available to patients at the same time in every country. Countries are not played off against each other. Lets cool the buying power of 450 Million People to do so. I believe in more free trade agreement, and in completing monetary union. I believe in a Banking Union to protect citizens savings on a paneuropean basis and reduce exposure to individual Member States. I think it Capital Markets union would provide the Building Blocks for an integrated Capital Market across europe. In terms of improving democracy within the eu, i support europewhite lists for the European Parliament. I would like to get people in cafes in naples and restaurants talking about the same election choices. Perhaps thats an ambitious idea, but i think it is one we should strive for. [applause] i believe we should also make permanent the system and democratize choosing of candidates for other leading positions within the eu. [applause] establishar lets the common asylum policy to replace the Current System which we all know is not working. Too few countries have shouldered responsibility of providing refugees with a fresh start in europe. We can all the more and we must. [applause] mr. Varadkar lets put fire back into the engine of our social europe by following through on the proclamation we issued last year on jobs, Employment Rights and pensions. Holds,r our future europe these to be competitive economically. One of the ways to ensure this is by allowing Competition AmongMember States. I think this is particularly important for peripheral and lessdeveloped countries is domestic markets are small and need investment. My strongest National Taxes that Fund National budgets should be determined by National Parliaments and governments. Equally strong is my view that corporations should pay their fair share of tax. We cannot tolerate the situation were Large Companies avoid paying any taxes anywhere. That is true for american tech companies, as it is true for european Car Manufacturers and International Aerospace and defense companies. [applause] mr. Varadkar ireland has already taken steps to close loopholes in the tax laws, and will do more in the years ahead. We strongly believe this redone on an international basis. As europe should not give advantages to our competitors by acting unilaterally. Mr. President , as a community we must look outwards, offering leadership in partnership, especially when it comes to africa, the confident which is only eight kilometers from europe. I believe europe must show much greater leadership on africa. I support the idea of an eu Marshall Plan for that continent. We have already witnessed the of chaos inacts syria and lebanon have had on people in those countries. And its impact on europe. Libya in syria are small countries. Imagine what would happen if similar events were to unfold in massive countries with massive populations like egypt or nigeria. The consequences are too awful to contemplate for us and for them. Asiantrast, we can look to and the Successful Development of those countries east asia who have transformed themselves from countries to which we gave a, to countries to which we now trade. In the 21st century, africa must succeed. It is in our interest and and theres. Irs. In ther lets make it part of our mission as europeans. [applause] mr. Varadkar i also strongly support the subsidiary and Proportionality Task force. Onis interesting for me, many matters and many issues u. S. States and canadian provinces and even counties eminence appellees have greater autonomy and greater variation among themselves that eu Member States currently have. Do we have the balance right . Not always. And does everything have to be harmonized in standardized . I dont think so. Mr. President , in making decisions i think its vital our citizens are engaged. In ir