Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions. Do the witnesses and the Minister have concerns about what is proposed? What input has Ireland had into the proposal? If we were to seek a reasoned opinion, what is the problem? We were given powers under the Lisbon treaty. If there is a problem, why would countries not use that power? On the issue of subsidiarity, it is stated that the proposal replaces existing arrangements with similar objectives but with different methods of implementation. However, subsidiarity was not protected at that stage. The subsidiarity principles came late to the European Union dynamic and because something went through previously does not mean it should not be questioned now. I attended a European Union event. It is clear from the European Commission and the directors that they want to dictate how member states might use money but, on the other hand, Ireland's record is quite good when money is flexible. In regard to the use of European Social Fund in education, it is clear that Ireland uses that funding well. Largely, it funded the regional technical colleges at the time and it funded courses but also much infrastructure. There is much to be said for more flexibility than what is provided for in this programme. Basically, it provides for non-financial assistance whereas it should be possible to use it as one wishes up to a point. In that way one could have ideas and be innovative. There is a question mark over how flexible it is.