Events in Dublin at the weekend show that there is some distance to go in inculcating certain key values in all our citizens, EU ambassador to the United States John Bruton said today.
In an address to the Institute of European Affairs, Mr Bruton also spoke of the need for integration of minorities, particularly Muslims, into European culture and society and called for "an inclusive debate" on our core values as Europeans.
John Bruton
"Respect for properly constituted authorities and respect for the freedom of expression of others are key European civic values," he said.
"Events in Dublin on Saturday show that, even in this sophisticated city, we have some distance to go in inculcating those values in all our citizens."
Mr Bruton said the challenge was to generate respect for minorities in our own neighbourhoods and on the island of Ireland.
"Unchallenged prejudice can too easily be turned towards violence. Order is a necessary precondition for the rule of law. Just as the rule of law should govern relations between individuals, it should also govern relations between nations."
He called for a constructive EU-wide debate on minority cultures and religions.
"Otherwise those worries will fester underground and then find expression in ways like we saw on display in Dublin last Saturday," he said.
Mr Bruton also called for civic leaders to hold talks with religious leaders to aid integration of minorities, particularly Muslims, into European culture and society.
"One of the challenges that Europeans must face together is the integration of Muslims into European culture and society. If this integration does not take place, we will enjoy little true peace for generations to come."
"To be European is to be a citizen first. I believe that European civic leaders . . . should sit down with the leaders of all the major religions in Europe, including Islam, and discuss with them the core European civic values we will need to pass on to future generations through our schools, our media and our public discourse."
If Muslims are to be integrated into European society, there must be an agreed concept of what the core European values are, Mr Bruton said. "Those values need to be put into words on paper. That's the hard part. Vague feelings are not enough."