Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I am very pleased to hear relations between the Irish Government and the Czech Presidency have improved since the visit of the Czech President to the country a few months ago. I welcome some of the steps taken regarding the key issues highlighted in the aftermath of the Lisbon referendum. For those of us on the ground these matters were highlighted during the campaign. These relate to concerns on social and moral issues, taxation, etc. It is important we seek and guarantee assurances at EU level on those.

I am disappointed at the lack of progress at a domestic level. I have said before and I repeat, there is a large amount of groundwork to do at a domestic level. A number of recommendations in the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union have not in any way been implemented. I thank the Minister for his kind words on the work of the sub-committee, but words are inadequate. We need to see some action on some of these proposals, such as those on the scrutiny reserve system, a new approach to the oversight of statutory instruments and the role of Oireachtas Members. Some of this will require domestic legislation and I have seen no evidence of any preparation of this. I would like to hear precisely what is happening at Government level to seek the changes we require at domestic level. We do not need the agreement of our European partners to take the necessary steps at a domestic level.

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