TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen stressed the importance of remaining at the heart of the EU when he launched Liam Aylward’s European election campaign in Co Offaly at the weekend.
Mr Aylward is the sole Fianna Fáil candidate so far in the Ireland East constituency.
Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach said other member states were puzzled why Ireland, which had benefited so much from European membership and through structural funding over the years, had decided to vote against the Lisbon Treaty.
He said while respecting the outcome of that vote, he was working to a position where the concerns of Irish citizens would be addressed in a new referendum.
This had been done with our European partners at the December summit.
“Despite the fact we have not yet acceded to the Lisbon Treaty we have had, it is important to point out that the spirit of solidarity was evident from our European partners. They do want Ireland to be at the centre of European deliberations in the years ahead,” he said.
He said the integration of European economy was more fundamental for Ireland than for most of our European neighbours because our island economy was led by export growth which was so important to our economy and survival.
“We need to get across to the Irish people that the European Parliament is a fundamental important institution in the development of this country,” he said.
Mr Aylward emphasised the importance of the EU to the farming and energy sectors. “Irish farmers receive €1.3 billion per year under the Single Farm Payment structure alone.”