Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Kitching talked about the fiscal compact and the difficulties of engaging with the electorate on it. One of the factors we have found is that people want to see some type of social dimension to Europe's reaction to the crisis. It was interesting to hear the Vice President of the Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, speaking last week about the need to extend the debate from a focus on political and economic union to include a social dimension. He mentioned that consideration is being given to introducing social indicators, on issues such as employability, long-term unemployment and child poverty, against which countries' performance would be assessed. Does Mr. Kitching have any views on how such an initiative might develop in the coming months and years?

Will he expand on how he sees the European elections being fought at a trans-European level? What types of messages does he expect will be common in all member states during the election campaign?