Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-10-25-Speech-2-553-000"
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"en.20111025.30.2-553-000"2
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"Madam President, I welcome the debate on the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs across the European Union. If the EU is to get out of its current economic difficulties, this Agenda will be a defining part of that. The Member States have set the ambitious objective of a 75% employment rate for the 20 to 64 age group by 2020. In my own constituency of Northern Ireland, the September figures show an employment rate estimated at 67.3% for 16 to 64 year olds, which is an increase of one per cent during the course of the year. However, Northern Ireland still has the second highest unemployment rate among the twelve regions of the United Kingdom, with the figure currently 7.3% – still significantly lower than the EU average of 9.5%.
Some of that rise in unemployment in Northern Ireland can be attributed to the collapse of the construction sector, which was seriously affected by the collapse of that industry in the Republic of Ireland. Trade in both goods and services between the two economies, as well as the job market, have all been detrimentally affected by the economic difficulties of our neighbours in the Irish Republic. These are difficult and trying times for all of us throughout the United Kingdom and the European Union as a whole.
Much has been said by Prime Minister Cameron about the chilling effect the euro crisis is having on UK recovery and growth. It is essential that we also recognise the chilling effect of the EU on business as a result of the restrictive, costly and time-consuming red tape and directives handed down by Europe. The UK Parliament last night debated, in the House of Commons, a motion for a referendum on relations with Europe. While I believe in the sovereignty of the nation state, it is interference from Europe that will drive the agenda in a referendum campaign."@en1
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