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

I welcome the delegates. I am struck by some of the statements. Like Deputy Donohoe I thought they were talking about the previous Government at one stage. There was a reference to inappropriate political support to politicians whose power is fading as citizens' disappointment grows. There was a reference to deals being made in pubs and restaurants. God forbid, if that were to happen in our country. I agree with what Deputy Donohoe has said. The delegates say there is no support but the difficulty is that whether the EU or civic society like the politicians, unfortunately those are the people who are elected. It was stated that the six leaders made deals, broke deals and made new deals, and all the while the people's business was left mostly aside. I do not know what can be done in this area. By its nature, perhaps the European Union should meet representatives of civic society and mirror what the committee did when it was over where it met politicians, civic society and others. I raised the issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, last week when we discussed enlargement in terms of Croatia. If Croatia's application for EU membership goes ahead I am aware of the impact for Bosnia. Mr. Kurt Bassuener gave figures for agriculture and said he would expand on them. Perhaps he will do so. Given that half of the country's budget goes on agriculture and the standards being sought by the European Union by 30 January-----