Mr. Colin Brown:

One has to keep in mind that the abilities of the committees to adopt amendments are extremely limited. There are a limited number of circumstances in which that can happen. I do not think that any of them would be areas where governments would have concerns around a right to regulate, for example. On the Deputy’s question, if a decision has legally binding effects, then it requires a decision by the Council of Ministers. The Dáil would be a position to tell - I presume - the Government in Ireland to take a particular position in the Council of Ministers. Equally, if there is a decision which is legally binding, the European Parliament is notified of that. It has to be provided with information about it. It is perfectly free to express a view by adopting a resolution. This occasionally happens. If it expresses a view, the European Commission and member states representing the Council have to take part in that.

I can respond to Senator Higgins’s points, if there is time. If there is no time, I am happy to find another way to respond.