Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

He is 48 or 49 years in the business, which is even longer than I am. He was a classic example. The experts told us that one could not exist at national level and European level and remain sane but he proves the reverse to be the case because he has been able to bring his national parliamentary views directly into the European Parliament and has circulated in those circles for many years very successfully. I do not say everyone could do that.

I am most suspicious of list systems, as you well know, Chairman. I am a great believer in directly elected democratic representatives and no other system. I do not believe in variation from that. People have tried over the years to improve democracy but the truest form of democracy is without doubt directly elected people to national parliaments or the European Parliament. We recognise that a situation arises that is different in respect of Europe. If we have the politicisation of the European Parliament – we are also going to have the politicisation of the European Commission – that will not bode well for us small countries. I have deep reservations in that regard.