Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their thoughtful presentation. Our ongoing dialogue with people in their profession will help us in our work. We often lose sight of the insight they can bring as we get tied up in the politics of these issues. Are we expecting too much from Europe in the absence of deeper political integration? I do not know whether that is necessarily a question the witnesses can answer directly. I think the vision that existed at the start of the Union has been lost to some extent. As this crisis has developed, individual member states have started to look to a more national platform. I do not think the current architecture makes it possible for Europe to serve the limited role it has. During this crisis, it has not been clear who is in charge. When Germany and France have got together for their various meetings and presentations, it has undermined the Commission in a real way. While the role of President Van Rompuy is defined, it is not really a leadership role or that of a pioneer who drives ahead. In the absence of deeper political integration, perhaps we should consider what Mr. Whelan said about whether we need to examine our own system. I hope he will expand a little on that.