The EU must learn lessons from former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's reforms of the UK economy during the 1970s and 1980s, Ireland's EU commissioner Charlie McCreevy said.
In a speech to the Association of European Journalists in Dublin, Mr McCreevy warned that public opinion was turning against the EU in many member states.
"A more jaundiced and sceptical tone has gained ground with people unpersuaded that Europe delivers for them. The bad news is that that trend has become more accentuated over the year rather than being reversed."
The Eurobarometer poll, to be published today, shows that just 44 per cent of EU citizens now have a positive view of the Union, compared with 50 per cent this time last year.
"The downward trend has been steady and fairly consistent over the year and is reflected among all categories of people - the self-employed, managers, manual workers, the unemployed, the retired and students."
Praising Mrs Thatcher's economic record, he said she had "rebuilt a shattered economy" and prepared industrial challenges "that had to be faced" and then fought until "victory was assured. Distasteful and divisive as it may have seemed at the time, it heralded a new beginning in her country's economic fortunes - faster growth, more jobs, higher living standards, and fewer citizens dependent on state support.
"Once it was said that 'the lady was not for turning'. She wasn't - others turned to her. On the economic front, we should not forget what she meant or why she mattered and what she achieved.
"It has been said that great leaders reflect their time. But few leaders transform their time. She did. She opposed the tyranny of over-regulation. She showed how free enterprise could stimulate initiative and promote independence. She was an icon for the emerging economies of the East as their governments and peoples set about building free markets in a free world."
However, "there were many aspects of her behaviour towards Ireland which those of us who share the republican tradition found very objectionable".
The EU must face the global economic challenges ahead. "Soppy words, soothing sounds and weak action won't turn bad or incoherent policy steps into a better future. There have been far too many soppy words and soothing sounds over the past decade. And in many member states there has been too little decisive action to bring about the inevitable changes we need.
"History is not made by abstract forces. It is made by people. In many parts of Europe things are going well. But it is in all our interest to work for more consistency in approach to economic policy right across the 25 member states.
"If we have the courage to say what we believe, to face up to the challenges that are inescapable, to deliver consistent messages, and act on them, I have no doubt we can and we will regain the people's trust."
Criticising EU "elites", Mr McCreevy said the Union's objections in 2000 to Austria's Freedom Party, led by Jörg Haider, entering government has damaged that country's view of the EU since. Before that a huge majority of people in Austria thought favourably of the EU but now it has "a bigger majority than any other member state hostile to the Union".
"This, I believe, can be traced back to the Austrian elections in the year 2000 when a coalition government was formed involving a political party that was popular with many Austrians but whose policy programme and pronouncements were not to the taste of some of the more politically correct palates in some member states, and in Brussels."
