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

I thank the Chairman. I welcome both witnesses to the discussion on the European Parliament elections and its broader history. On the turnout issue, Ireland would have had a reduction in turnout. When Ireland became a member of the EEC, as it was then, the whole concept of direct elections was coming into being and there would have been a new process for all the countries involved. In regard to new entrant countries, such as Slovenia, are the witnesses surprised at its turnout rate of 13%? Does that correspond to a lower turnout in its national or local elections? Is it the case that as this a new democratic process for Slovenia in terms of European Elections that it would have such a low turnout?
On the issue of the turnover, I put that question to the Minister of State, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, when he appeared before the committee recently. Does the retirement rate for the European Parliament damage the interest in the process - not so much in Ireland - across Europe as the well-known faces are not seeking re-election? There is also a high replacement rate even in Ireland in terms of Members of the European Parliament.
In regard to the spitzenkandidat, was the lack of engagement, the methodology or the fact that they would not have been household names, albeit, very important and strong Europeans in terms of Mr. Juncker and Mr. Schulz, an issue? If the candidates were Ms Merkel, Mr. Sarkozy, Ms Legarde or Mr. Barroso would they have generated a greater level of debate across Europe than the two very strong and experienced candidates who would have gone forward?