Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State and extend my best wishes for next week's General Affairs Council meeting. I refer to the country specific recommendations as part of the European semester. This is our first experience of that post the bailout. What can we learn from other countries' experiences? Will any particular issues be raised with colleagues about their experiences over recent years in that area?

A number of members commented on the situation in Ukraine. Do the problems there make it more important for us to expedite expansion to the east and that we open those chapters for accession countries and expedite applications? I refer to the Single Market in terms of energy. Given the ongoing tensions in Ukraine and Russian influence, is the Single Market for energy now more important in terms of energy security for the European Union?

In regard to the European Parliament elections, the Minister of State said that more than half of the MEPs in the European Parliament are retiring, which I did not know. Obviously, there is a much lower number in Ireland. I think one of our MEPs is retiring. Why does the Minister of State think that is the case across the European Union? Is it because of a perception of lack of powers? Obviously, there is not a lack of powers. Is it as a result of travel? Does the Minister of State think this election will be a temptation for protest votes rather than, as other members have said, electing real legislators who will play an important role for their countries?