Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Dublin MEPs, Mr. Gay Mitchell, Ms Emer Costello and Mr. Paul Murphy. Today's meeting is the third in a series dealing with Ireland and the future of the European Union. We are considering issues such as financial, budgetary and economic policy integration in the EU, democratic accountability, legitimacy, political union and the implications for Ireland of the United Kingdom's relationship with the EU. Few people deal with these issues more on a day-to-day basis than our MEPs so we are very interested in hearing their views on how Europe is developing.

I should warn those in attendance that we have been told to expect Dáil votes, the first being at approximately 3.10 p.m., with another at approximately 3.45 p.m., by which time we may be finished. We will try to conclude by then but if there is a vote, I will have to suspend the meeting.

I am delighted also to welcome Ms Phil Prendergast, MEP. I ask for contributions, beginning with Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP.