Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his full reply. It sounded to me from reading and listening to the Minister's words that this could amount to something of a power grab by the Commission, to use a phrase that has been bandied around a good deal. I take the Minister's point that this is a more technical matter and that it may simply be more efficient. I also take the Minister's point that Ireland will be engaging in these negotiations with an open mind, in other words, there is no set position yet, but I believe in a general way it would be helpful for the committee to know what position Ireland is likely to take in discussions when we are engaging with the Minister on these motions, because obviously that may colour our view on whether we should opt in to begin with.