Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Why is there so much scepticism about Europe? Why are so many people anti-European? Why is it more popular to be anti-Europe than pro-Europe? In the middle of the last century, it was necessary to be pro-European in a new embracing way in the aftermath of the Second World War. That challenge has gone and economic challenges have risen in their stead.

The European Union has been demonised by individual member states for domestic political purposes and reasons of political expediency from time to time. We can analyse as much as we like after that but that is the way it goes. There has been a huge welter of anti-Europeanism in the UK for some time, for example. Why is that so? Europe is seen as admonishing with EU administrations imposing add-ons of a punitive nature whenever European Commission or institutions see fit. For example, the main factor associated with anti-Europeanism in this country is probably penalties and fines for non-compliance with EU regulations on climate change, carbon emissions, fisheries and agriculture. These are fines for regulations that were accepted by our Administration. The theory is that Europe is imposing these on us. Europe does not impose any regulations but merely sets out the general broad agenda, proposes a directive which is then decided by member states. A member state can accept, reject or amend a directive. For example, conservation orders and turf-cutting regulations are all lumped together by people who blame the European system for them. To my mind, these claims have undermined the concept of the modern European Union to an extent that is dangerous.

Replacement candidates for European elections should be voted for as well.