Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am only doing so because I am sure the Minister has had a chance to consider it to some degree, although perhaps not yet. Senator Bacik's reference to possible power grabs by the Commission brought to mind a recent speech by the Commissioner with responsibility for justice affairs, Viviane Reding, who is flagging the issue of whether the Commission and the Court of Justice of European Union should be given more power to protect the rule of law in member states by bridging the gap, as she put it, between the infringement proceedings currently possible and the suspension of member states' rights. Does the Minister have any views on that speech? She appeared to be citing instances in France, Hungary and Romania as evidence that the rule of law may not always be present to a degree that might require intervention, if right was right, by European Union institutions. However, some people see that as a tendency towards a powers grab by the Commission. Does the Minister have any thoughts on that?