Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I also thank our three speakers and welcome them. I was struck by a line from Dr. Coutts' presentation when we briefly touched on the idea that we live in an era of populism, which targets international and transnational organisations and politics and that we should propose simplified forms of nationalism. In this context, the EU may be particularly vulnerable. It might be nice to get that printed on a t-shirt and send it as a going-away present to a certain former prime ministerial adviser. It feeds into the debate we are all having.

Professor Laffan touched on the point that the convention should be about what Europe should do rather than how it does it. Are not the two inextricably linked? We have it shown up this week when one sees an emergency Covid-relief budget, which is something the EU can do well if it is unified, being targeted because the values of the Union are being undermined by two of its member states. They can use the method according to which the Union works to block something the Union should be doing. Unless we look at all of the issues, will we undermine the convention? I believe we need to focus on what Europe should be doing but until we look at how it does it, I believe we will be operating with our hands behind our back. I would like Professor Laffan's thoughts on that.

Second, the model Ms O'Connell used was interesting but I was struck by a point that Professor Laffan made that only 20% of Irish people - who are incredibly supportive of the EU and its aims, if we look at the figures - knew about this convention. To an extent, have we failed already in terms of engaging people? Does it show Professor Laffan the work we have to do, in the event of treaty change, to get them on the journey now?

Finally, I ask the three witnesses, who have a lot of experience in this area, how confident and hopeful are they of a successful outcome to this process?