Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witness for the presentation. There is an eight-week window in which parliaments and member states can give their observations on proposals from the European Union. Does Dr. Piedrafita consider that while around November every year the European Commission publishes a programme for the following year, there should be more engagement with national parliaments even with that programme? Last year the Commission published 129 items intended to be dealt with throughout 2013.

We have had the former President of the European Parliament before Seanad Éireann but could Commissioners appear before member parliaments? Our own Commissioner, Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn also appeared before the Seanad. With regard to getting into the public arena in each member state, what is the agenda of individual Commissioners over two or three years? It is about getting information to the ordinary members of the public and using national parliaments in that process so what is the witness's view on the more effective use of that strategy?