Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said the European Union is fundamental to Ireland's economic, social and cultural development and to the future of the country.
Speaking at a ceremony in City Hall in Dublin on the eve of Europe Day tomorrow, Mr Ahern said the Government was making a "determined effort" this year to show the public how membership of the European Union is "touches almost every aspect of life in Ireland"
"The European Union is not just an economy. Europe is not only about harmonising laws, facilitating trade and economic competitiveness," he said. "At its core Europe is about values, about people and about solidarity."
The European Commission's Dublin office is organising a number of events around the capital for Europe Day, while the Dáil will devote an entire day to debating European issues on Wednesday.
A European Commissioner, Commissioner for Agriculture Marianne Fischer Boel will also directly address the Dáil for the first time.
Mr Ahern claimed the major contribution membership of the EU has made to Ireland's overall quality of life is being overlooked. "Our national progress in promoting equality, in supporting the living and working conditions of workers, in advancing the rights of consumers and in preserving the quality of our environment owes much to our EU membership and to our national participation in the EU's legislative process," he said.
In addition, Mr Ahern said the success of the European project has come through negotiation, compromise and strong political leadership.
"These will remain the essential ingredients for future success throughout the EU and particularly in Ireland. Europe Day is a time when we should look at the bigger picture in Europe and to recommit ourselves to the fundamental rights of the citizens of Europe," he said.
Mr Ahern noted that the European Constitutional Treaty remains on hold while a period of reflection is being held. The Taoiseach said he believed the European Constitution was "the right choice" for Europe. It is the right choice for Ireland.
"When the history of the 21st century is written, our descendants may read of the European Union as a quaint experiment on a continent which long ago declined," he said.
"I hope and believe that they will read a different story. I hope they will read that our generation in Europe, and our successors, made wise choices. I hope they will read that we valued and nurtured the European experiment entrusted to us, and developed it further."