David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Mr. Butler on his presentation. The fact he has received such support from the Danish embassy to this country is very instructive, as is the fact that a senior member of the diplomatic staff of that embassy was here with him until very recently.

I have not had an opportunity to read the extended version of the paper but I did read the abbreviated version. Mr. Butler refers to the fact that the committee has been doing all right, that it is not contemplated within the terms of the Constitution, etc. The reason for this is that successive Governments were against it. Those in Iveagh House went mad when this committee was first established - a development in which I was deeply implicated - because they did not want amateurs fooling around in their area. Mr. Butler states that Ireland does a reasonably good job but that other countries of comparable size do much better. That is a very valuable comment, particularly if he can substantiate it and provide examples of what such countries do that is better. If we can learn from the foreign affairs committees of other nations, it would be a very valuable lesson for us.

With the greatest respect to my old friend, Deputy Smith, this business of the Seanad scrutinising EU legislation is a load of balls that arose during the defective referendum on the abolition of the Upper House. During the campaign on that referendum, the Government told nothing but lies and the Opposition was split all over the place until the final ten day.