Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for the absence of Deputy Adams. He is involved in a meeting, for the first time, with Prime Minister Cameron. I made the point earlier to the Tánaiste on the difference in the approaches of the Irish and British Governments. The Irish Government has been much more inclusive, meeting parties all the time. Unfortunately the British Government has not adopted the same manner on talks, which is a negative step. I hope it will change from today. I look forward to the important discussions the leaders will have on resolving the Haass talks process.

One of the key conclusions of the European Council meeting was its recommendation to the European Parliament that Jean-Claude Juncker should be the new head of the Commission. It looks like Mr. Juncker's appointment will be ratified by the European Parliament on 16 July in Strasbourg. I do not know whether the Taoiseach agrees the campaign became overly personal rather than focused on the real and important issues of what type of Europe we want to see emerge. The Taoiseach made this point in his speech. The debate should have focused on the continued negative austerity policies enforced by the troika, the democratic deficit in the European Parliament and Commission and the increasing move towards the federalisation of the European Union. Amid the daily discussions on the top jobs and Jean-Claude Juncker there have been no discussions on alternative EU policies or opening the EU institutions to bring them closer to the citizens. Instead it was left to the British Tories to push their conservative Euro-sceptic agenda.

There is an issue about the lead party in the European Parliament nominating a candidate who is then appointed, supposedly with consensus, as President of the Commission. Why should the Council not nominate its own candidate through a campaign and then have a vote? This would be an option and many would see it as being much more democratic. The secrecy and decisions made behind closed doors in these selections continue to tarnish and damage the image and reputation of the EU institutions. The back room and secret deals between the EPP and the S&D, which is the group of socialist and democrats, added a bit of colour to the show. We see that Martin Schulz will be re-elected President of the European Parliament and Jean-Claude Juncker will be the President of the Commission.

Yesterday the four Sinn Féin MEPs voted for the GUE NGL candidate for the President of the Parliament, the Spanish MEP Pablo Iglesias, who offers an alternative voice to those who bear the burden of the European Union's anti-social crisis policy. We argued that by voting for Pablo Iglesias we voted for a different type of Europe. There is a need for a Europe of solidarity which would create growth and jobs and, as the Taoiseach stated, a Europe which would move away from austerity policies and the undemocratic diktats of the troika.

We have a fair idea who will be the President of the Commission and attention is now being drawn to who will be Ireland's new Commissioner. There are many rumours and much media speculation and I am sure the Taoiseach would be able to fill us in today on who will be the new Commissioner. Perhaps he will announce it at the end of this debate.

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