Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Jacobs and thank him for coming here. I was very happy to discover when I spoke to him earlier in the hallway that he had many Reilly and O'Reilly relations in County Cavan. Indeed, Senator Kathryn Reilly may well also be related to him, but he and I have established family ties in Cavan. I will let him explain later, but it seems that on his mother's side he has a whole Cavan connection. I was delighted by that and when I heard the quality of his contribution I was convinced of the genealogy.

I have a number of issues that are a source of distress. The prospect that our level of representation in the European Parliament will decrease because of the numbers of MEPs from new member states is a source of angst for me and others. It will increase the democratic deficit and further alienation from Europe. There is an assumption that we will lose a seat and I would like Mr. Jacobs to comment on the degree to which fewer representatives will contribute to the democratic deficit and whether there are solutions to that difficulty.

As the European Parliament gets stronger and the Lisbon treaty has enshrined new powers, there is a risk that the national priorities of small countries, such as Ireland can become submerged. Mr. Jacobs's suggestion on the chairmanship of committee is a possible solution. Will he comment on the way to avoid submerging the national interest as we work with the Socialist group or the European Peoples Party, EPP or the ALDE group. What concerns me is how to advance issues, such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the lack of employment opportunities that are of concern to Ireland? I know we can work on the issues in our political grouping in Europe but how does Mr. Jacobs see it working on the floor of the European Parliament?

Mr. Jacobs referred to the strength of the committee chairpersons and will Mr. Jacobs comment on the potential of seeking such a post to strengthen our position?

I think his point on the need for strong links between the European Parliament and the parliaments of member states is important. There is a need to develop a satisfactory methodologies to do that.

I agree with Mr. Jacobs that candidates standing for election in the European elections would have to state the grouping with which they would align in Europe and that there be a debate on what the various grouping stands for. That would have amusing outcomes in the Irish context. Our Chairman, Deputy Hannigan's point on achieving a gender balance was well made and I ask Mr. Jacobs to address that issue also.

I would appreciate if Mr. Jacobs would try to address some of those issues.