JOBS and social security would be major priorities of the Irish EU presidency, the Democratic Left leader told a Social Council meeting in Brussels. Mr Proinsias De Rossa called on member states to balance the costs of creating a Single Market against the long term goal of preserving social cohesion.
He said "a balanced development of the Single Market can ensure that the ability of member states to provide social protection to their citizens is strengthened and not undermined". While the rights conferred on business by the Single Market had to be accepted, "these rights should not be allowed to damage the ability of states to provide their citizens with the social protection they need".
It should be agreed in principle that the need to modernise and adjust to cope with "new realities should not happen "at the expense of the weakest groups in society". Adopting these principles "would send reassuring signals to our citizens at a time when an increasing number of them are experiencing insecurity about the future and an evident distrust of the intentions of their political leaders".
The Minister said the social security systems of member states share problems relating to ageing populations and persistently high levels of unemployment. These would be addressed during the Irish presidency, which would focus on issues such as employment, adequate financing of social protection and improving health care delivery.
Ireland was currently reviewing its tax and social welfare system to make them more "work friendly".
Mr De Rossa also praised the role of the IEU Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, in promoting the social affairs agenda.