Ms Noelle O'Connell:

If this committee wants us to give a more detailed breakdown and analysis of the specific chapter in our accountability report that deals with this matter, we will be happy to do so. At that point, the committee might like to discuss whether further action should be taken. We would be more than happy to share suggestions that would facilitate access and make the process more user-friendly, which is a big problem in this area. I hope I have answered Senator Healy Eames's questions in this respect.

Deputy Crowe touched on a number of interesting points. We have worked closely with the MEPs. On the basis of the input from the MEPs, we intend to expand the chapter of the report dealing with the European Parliament in next year's report. Attendance levels reflect the use of differing electoral systems. We work at length to explain the role of MEPs. I could not go through it in too much detail today because of the time constraints I faced. There is an onus on all civil society groups to work to enhance and promote the pre-legislative input.

With respect to Northern Ireland, we do not seek to be partitionist in any way. We work closely with the Northern Ireland MEPs. They are classified from a UK perspective. We work closely with European Movement Northern Ireland. We have very good relations with European Movement Northern Ireland, which is one of the partners for the youth media and the Irish Presidency project. I suppose there is an all-island element in that regard.

We will seek to track and analyse the use of the Irish language where information on it is available. It is an interesting point. I have to be honest and admit that such information is not always available. We conduct our research on the basis of the information that is available in the public domain. The material we are presenting to the committee is based on public records. We will consider taking the suggestion on board.

Deputy O'Reilly asked about the Blue Star programme. Some 34 schools throughout the country participated in the programme last year, which was the pilot year. European Movement Ireland is the national implementation body for the programme again this year, with support from the Minister of State and the Department of the Taoiseach. I am delighted to report that 92 schools are taking part in it, which is a fantastic increase. We are very excited about it. As part of the revised Blue Star programme for this year, we are asking primary school pupils to make an input into Ireland's Presidency of the EU and take a view on it. There is also a section dealing with citizenship in the context of the European Year of Citizens. Schools from every corner of Ireland are taking part in the programme this year. As Deputy O'Reilly said, the schools in question will take part in a number of projects to coincide with Europe Week in May. Their Blue Star certificates are presented after they have completed their annual programmes. We are delighted to report that work on this fantastic initiative, which involves primary schoolchildren, parents and wider communities, is well under way. We are delighted to be closely involved in supporting it.

The Deputy also asked about our activities in the third level sector. Since European Movement Ireland was founded in 1954, we have felt strongly about education and have worked in the second and third level sectors. We are managing and administering the College of Europe scholarship application process on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills this year. The deadline for interested students is 15 January next. We are also working closely with the Commission, the Parliament, the Minister of State and the Department of the Taoiseach on the eujobs.ie initiative. This involves going to careers services in third level institutions - institutes of technology and universities - throughout the country to make Irish students aware of the internship or career opportunities that are available. It is important to note that there has been a decline in the level of Irish applications to the EU.