It is not commonly realised how much the EU has contributed to the development of Irish education and training and, in doing so, to our current economic success.
The efficient use of the EU Regional Fund and assistance from the European Investment Bank, especially when allied with national funding and, latterly, in partnership with private industry, has transformed the infrastructure of our third-level campuses.
The development of our technological sector has been significantly assisted by investment from both the European Regional Fund and, more particularly, the European Social Fund (ESF). Institutes of technology all over the country have been at the forefront of our success in transforming Ireland into a high-skill, knowledge-based economy. Without this investment, there is no doubt that our current unprecedented levels of economic growth could not and would not have been achieved.
For example, in 1999 alone over 200,000 students and trainees participated in ESF-aided programmes.
The fund has contributed significantly to the massive expansion of our technological sector. It has also contributed very significantly to one of the other success stories of our education system, namely, the Post Leaving Certificate vocational preparation and training courses which now have some 25,000 participants.
The restructuring of our senior cycle through the Leaving Certificate Applied and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programmes could not have happened as rapidly or as successfully without the support of ESF.
Both of these programmes offer a wider range of options for young people who wish to stay on at school and for whom existing academic programmes were not suitable.
The contribution of the ESF led to the very large-scale expansion of in-career development for teachers. Without this investment - and the co-operation of our teachers - it would not have been possible to achieve the level of change which has been brought about, particularly at second level.
The development of second-chance opportunities for early school-leavers, including the vocational scheme (VTOS), and for people with literacy and numeracy difficulties was also aided by the ESF.
These are just some examples of the major contribution which EU funds have made to the development of education in Ireland. The EU also made an important contribution to the development of innovative approaches to education through programmes such as Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci which have been hugely successful here.
Under these programmes, more than 3,000 young Irish people have travelled abroad to take part in vocational training initiatives in other countries; some 8,000 Irish students have studied in institutions in other countries, and Irish schools have been involved in over 800 European projects.
The debate on education and training at European level has become increasingly important. Last year, the Lisbon Summit set out a strategy aimed at making the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world. They recognised that education is central to this endeavour.
Specific targets were set towards the achievement of this goal, ranging from increases in per capita investment in human resources, to establishing a new European framework for defining basic skills through lifelong learning, information technology, foreign languages, entrepreneurship and social skills.
The EU is good for Ireland. It is good for Irish education and training. The accession of new countries will strengthen this process. That is why I heartily support the Treaty of Nice and its provisions for enlargement.
Enlargement provides other opportunities for Ireland. It will see the opening up of a huge and free market of over 500 million people.
Enlargement will happen at a time when Irish business is better placed than ever before to invest and trade overseas. The benefits in education and training will prove of enduring advantage to Ireland as we compete for trade and business.
I see enlargement as the new dawn for the EU, representing the largest single expansion in membership since the EU was founded. Of course it represents a challenge, but Ireland and the Irish people have proved time and time again that they relish a challenge. We have proved that we can turn challenge into opportunity. For this, if for no other reason, we cannot but welcome the Treaty of Nice.