Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Ms Sparks and Mr. Richmond to the committee and commend them for their report; it has a lot of valuable detail. MEPs took umbrage at some of the things in it but was there any explanation for the 15% drop in the number of speeches between 2011 and 2012 and the 33% drop in the number of parliamentary questions? I know there was a comment on the costs of answering parliamentary questions because of all the translation needed.

The polling data by Red C and the European Movement Ireland on attitudes towards Ireland in the EU is interesting, particularly that 89% of 18 to 24 year olds still believe Ireland should remain part of the EU. The lowest figure for that was in the 35-44 age group, where 78% say Ireland should remain part of the EU. That age group also has the highest number who believe we should leave the euro, and if Britain were to leave, Ireland should also leave, with 38% agreeing with that. Is that data related to austerity or indebtedness, with people feeling they are being imposed on by Europe? That cohort is the cohort that is most likely to be suffering.

The Blue Star programme is confined to primary schools. Is there engagement at second level, particularly with transition year students or those on the CSPE courses? I attended some of those classes to speak and they address politics and similar issues.