Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Ms O'Connell and Mr. Richmond and thank them for their report. Have they any figures with regard to the role of MEPs in terms of ongoing scrutiny and keeping the public informed and getting the message to them in their constituencies? They mentioned how the Irish Presidency might be perceived by the ambassadors and about asking ambassadors how it is perceived in their countries. Has this been done with other presidencies? If so, how was it done and what methodology was used? Was it based on results or outcomes?

I welcome the move towards getting ambassadors out to meetings to meet citizens. Has there been any measure of support among the general public for the European Union? Is there concrete information available on whether there has been a reduction in support over the past few years? Is there a greater understanding of the European Union now and is there a greater acceptance of its role? Is there greater support for it and for the European Parliament among the public? We have had MEPs since the 1970s. Have people a better understanding of their role or do they see them as dealing with similar issues to those raised with Deputies and county councillors? It seems to me there is a crossover of roles and we all get the same types of queries, rather then MEPs being considered as just being involved in European scrutiny and legislation.