Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome Ms O'Connell and Ms Flynn and thank them for their continued participation in the entire European project with the committee.

I have previously given my views on the limitations of the usefulness of the accountability report, which Ms O'Connell has already addressed. It is helpful in pointing in a particular direction, but it by no means gives the overall picture. When material like this is put in writing it can be used in a positive or negative way. I will highlight certain aspects. Attendance at this committee is reflected, which is fine. While obviously it is not European Movement Ireland's intention, it does not provide the full picture. I can come to all these meetings and spend my time responding to my constituents and can have a full attendance. It looks good when it is presented in just that amount of information, but it is in no way reflective of the participation thereafter. We are all the same in terms of how things are presented in the media - we are lazy. We take the headline and we accept it from there. In terms of outputs, reports and participation, has European Movement Ireland considered any methodology that might use the data it has collected, but present an opinion rather than just presenting the raw data?

Ministers are expected to attend various meetings in Europe. Sometimes they will make a judgment that it is not in the country's best interest to be there owing to another competing interest elsewhere. Cost may also be a factor. If a Minister attends 100% of the meetings, it seems great, but at some time there will be a freedom of information request over the cost. The Chairman knows this well, as he is a very good attender at important meetings.