Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have had three interesting presentations. I welcome Mr. De Rossa's suggestion about the Forum on Europe, which would be useful. He referred to the committee holding hearings on future appointments of Commissioners by the Government. While I would welcome the opportunity to cross-examine the appointees on their thoughts on issues such as the financial transactions tax, there is a danger these could turn into confirmation hearings akin to what happens in the US. The Oireachtas had a recent experience in this regard when the chairman of EirGrid appeared before a committee. These meetings could turn into a circus with opponents of the nominee using the forum to try to bring them down. How would we make sure that such hearings did not turn into a circus and added value to the proceedings?

Dr. O'Brennan said we should re-examine our smaller embassies and build our representation rather than focus on Asia. The announcement of the opening of an embassy in Zagreb, Croatia will mean we have an embassy in the 27 EU capitals. Some of those are single diplomat embassies, particularly in the Baltic states.

An example is Estonia where one diplomat covers a range of activities on behalf of the Irish people.

While I agree it is important that we have sufficient representation across all of the countries in Europe how do we ensure that we also have representation in countries such as Chile, Venezuela or even Iran where we recently closed an office? These countries have growing populations, of between 30 million and 50 million people. We have significant trade with them and in some cases many members of the diaspora live there. New Zealand is an example. We do not have an embassy there. How do we balance those needs with the need to have representation in the 28 capitals in the EU?

If there are unmistakable signs in some European capitals that they would like a slow-down in accession by western Balkan states how do we square that with the decisions on the accession of Serbia and Albania and the opening of chapter 23 in respect of Turkey? I thought that the mood music from the capitals was to continue with enlargement, that they are keen for more countries to come in, particularly the Balkans, but not to rush this because they need to make sure the internal laws of these countries are up to speed with what European citizens expect from member states.

Mr. Connolly’s point about the Presidency is well made. Every time this committee visits fellow politicians across Europe we hear how successful the Presidency was. I am glad to hear what he said about our permanent representative, Mr. Rory Montgomery, because we often hear how successful the politicians were during the Presidency but that could not have been the case without the support of the officials. They were outstanding before and throughout the Presidency.

Mr. Connolly said that our political capital has been restored to a large extent and suggested that we can earn more capital by taking up the cudgel of the American trade agreement. What does he think we can achieve in respect of the recapitalisation of the banks and how can we achieve that? He knows the Government’s position on seeking retrospective recapitalisation. Does he think that is possible or are there are other ways to achieve that overall aim. If so, what are they?