Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation from the Committee of the Regions and acknowledge Councillor Declan McDonnell from my constituency, Galway West. I apologise for my late attendance as I was speaking in the House and missed the opening presentations. I heard Councillor Paul O'Donoghue's presentation and welcome his comments and proposals on behalf of the committee and acknowledge the Chairman's support for them. Clearly, in the new pre-enactment stage of legislation there is a greater possibility of a role for the Committee of the Regions. I am not sure if it has been in contact with the European Commission representatives, the liaison people on the committees, who have a role in bringing forward EU legislation to the committees and are also involved in the pre-enactment stages of our own legislation. Perhaps there could be greater liaison with the clerks of the various committees.

I thank the delegates for their submission and I note their concern about the United Kingdom, which I am sure is coming from the representatives from the Border counties. The delegates share a concern regarding the referendum on EU membership, if there is to be a referendum in 2017, and continuity of EU membership. I know we all share that same concern. This year a referendum will be held to determine if Scotland will vote for its independence. Perhaps that will play a part in the debate because that will be an issue in the debate on whether the United Kingdom is to remain in the European Union,and will come to the fore in the coming year. I know our Minister has made proposals and has made a speech in the United Kingdom recently. Clearly it will not convince the people in the United Kingdom to vote "Yes" to remaining in the EU for the sake of Ireland but for their own sake. The importance of the European Union must be highlighted.

Improving the public understanding of the European Union was one of the recommendations in the submission. It was suggested that local authorities could be better used to demonstrate the benefits of EU membership. I certainly agree with that because as others have said there is a total disconnect between membership of the EU and the benefits we derive from membership. We all hear the negatives such as the requirement to comply with EU regulations, such as the habitats directive, waste water legislation and regulations on septic tanks. Although the EU directives have been in place for a long time, the issues arising are coming to the fore. We hear speakers at public meetings giving out about the European Union without acknowledging the benefits and positives over a long number of years.

The fundamental principle of the Committee of the Regions is that members are elected by citizens. Is the disconnect between voters and politics, in particular in the European Union, a matter that can be repaired? Can we make everybody understand the benefits that come from our membership of the European Union? As a member of a local authority until 2011, I am sure the witness recognises the issues I have highlighted, such as the negative reaction to some legislation. Does he come across that attitude on the ground?