Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second the proposal by Senator Bacik to hold a debate on child care and after-school care. Given that we lack guidelines on after-school care, it would be a very welcome opportunity to have a debate.

The issue I wish to raise concerns investment, Ireland and the European Commission. We are sleepwalking into the next round of the European Commission. We often say Ireland punches above its weight at the EU. However, while it is fantastic that Mairead McGuinness, MEP, was elected Vice-President of the European Parliament, in terms of chairs and vice-chairs of European Parliament committees, there is no Irish member in the leadership of the 22 parliamentary committees. In respect of the Commission, it is suggested that Ireland should seek the agriculture portfolio. That sounds great because agriculture is important to Ireland but the work has been done on agriculture. Ireland should be seeking the digital agenda or taxation portfolios. The digital agenda is something that could benefit Ireland. We could bring investment into Dublin and the rest of Ireland. It is a missed opportunity to build on the work that Commissioner Kroes has done to date. We should be having a discussion on the portfolio we will seek, as well as putting forward the right candidate for that portfolio. I know my calls will fall on deaf ears but if we are serious about maintaining our influence in Europe, we should be looking for a portfolio and an agenda on which work will be done over the next five years.