Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. My apologies for missing the earlier part of the meeting. I was at another committee meeting. I welcome Mr. Staunton. In his closing remarks he referred to Irish officials being seconded to international organisations and so on. From my limited experience in government, officials were invaluable to Departments, especially those who had experience in the European Commission, the European Parliament or the Council. They could bring back important corporate knowledge, friendships and the ability to network, valuable resources when working towards decisions and trying to influence decision-making at Commission level, especially at official level. Mr. Staunton made an important point in that regard.

Reference was made to a vote for the diaspora in elections. The Seanad must be reformed and the Members of the Seanad have always maintained that. Is Mr. Staunton of the opinion that we should have particular representation for members of the diaspora, rather than simply a vote for them?

What happens under EU enlargement? If Turkey joins the EU will the sphere of influence shift dramatically in Europe in a more easterly direction than in the past?

What is Mr. Staunton's view on the United Nations, its architecture, its make-up at Security Council level and its ineffectiveness in many respects when dealing with many of the humanitarian disasters that occur, unfortunately, on a regular basis?