Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I will be brief. Mr. Andrews mentioned that the UK sometimes were difficult members. That is true but in the political day-to-day aspects of the European Parliament, EP, with very few exceptions I found that the UK MEPs were good colleagues. Maybe to some extent we had not just a shared language; we had shared levels of understanding. Barry mentioned the connection in financial services. We also had a shared approach to the law etc. We often said that within the Council, the UK sometimes did part of the heavy lifting. That was absolutely true within the Parliament as well. If, for example, there was a British rapporteur on a particular dossier, while the political perspectives might be different there was definitely a connection and a shared understanding.

That is now gone. What bridges are being built and what connections are being made, based on Mr. Andrews's personal experience within his group? What does he see happening in other groups, and what connections are being made there? He mentioned that he is talking to the French rapporteur and that it is tricky. There are many issues that are tricky. Some battles can be won and some things can be influenced, and sometimes one has to recognise that they cannot be. Mr. Andrews spoke about corporation tax earlier. Year after year I saw the majority within the Parliament in favour of serious reform here increasing. Within that context, what is Mr. Andrews's experience of building bridges?