Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Temple-Smithson for his presentation. I am delighted that he is heading off on this route to bring Europe to the people on a county-by-country basis. It is no reflection on Mr. Temple-Smithson, but it is a pity we have not been doing that all along. Every day, we pass buildings or bridges with signage saying that it was funded through a partnership programme with the EU and we mostly ignore them now as we have become accustomed to them. It would be great to see a level of engagement that would bring the European project down to every street and house in every village in Ireland. In this regard, Mr. Temple-Smithson is moving in the right direction.

It is a pity the local and European elections take place on the same day as it may preclude talent from one or other jurisdiction from running. That is a national issue, however.