Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Some of us do from our backgrounds.

It is a fascinatingly challenging proposition to determine how we read ourselves into where Europe is going, in particular in light of some of the comments made. I refer to the comments on England. Mr. Freudenstein spoke of having supernational authority which can overrule national decisions when it comes to economic affairs raising yet another important question. The United Kingdom is currently asking that very question. It claims it wants to withdraw elements of authority from the centre back to the national. Can Mr. Freudenstein comment on where it is going in this regard?

On the democratic role of the European Parliament, the Tánaiste, our Deputy Prime Minister, has completed very intensive talks with the Parliament on its budgetary decisions. The British claim managing to reduce the budget is a good decision and claim it as a victory, but others would claim otherwise. It now appears that the Parliament has the democratic right to veto or seek changes to the budget as proposed. Can Mr. Freudenstein elaborate on how the process will be carried out?

Some parliamentarians are independent and others are affiliated to parties in their own countries. Do national parliaments in countries like Germany, Ireland or France lobby their MEPs to support or reject proposals? What dialogue exists, given the importance of the budget and the European Parliament making a decision? Does pressure come from national parliaments on those who are established political representatives of political parties?

We are essentially talking about the democratisation of the process. We know France has Cabinet members which represent its diaspora. There are members who vote in its embassies in every election.

There is a form of democracy. By contrast, we do not even allow the diaspora to vote in presidential elections. The Iranian ambassador informs me that his embassy was open last Friday to receive the votes of Iranians living in Ireland. I understand even Albania and perhaps Bulgaria and Romania open wide their embassies to receive their citizens to allow them to participate in the democratic process. I agree, however, that there are major challenges. As Irish public representatives, we must recognise that this country is way behind in the democratic participative process by not allowing the diaspora to vote in various elections, let alone asking MEPs to toe the line of the party. It is a fascinating debate and I look forward to hearing the views of other contributors.