Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I really enjoyed the presentations. My first question is for all our guests. Both Mr. Galvin and Mr. O'Brien mentioned the issue of having one's voice heard. Mr. Galvin put it very well when he said, "Oh my, the European Union wants our opinion". It is great when people want to listen.

Mr. O'Brien can correct me if I am wrong, but I get a sense he is saying a lot is being said but nobody is doing anything about it, or at least there is the impression nothing is being done about his concerns. Have any of the witnesses put any thought into what sort of structured forums need to be put in place, not just on an EU basis, but more particularly on an Ireland basis and a local basis, whether in County Wexford or Dublin? The witnesses will move on. They will be elected to the Dáil and will be Ministers in due course. What sort of forums need to be put in place ensure that those coming up through the organisation in five or ten years' time can actually see the issues that are being raised and can track that it is actually being put in place and they are not just getting warm words from politicians about this?

Ms Agrawal's speech was particularly informed. It would not have been out of place in the European Parliament. However, that is not always the case for people of Ms Agrawal's generation. Does she believe there is a dearth of information, especially about European issues, whether through formal education or any of the organisations she is involved in? Would she like to see more information about how the EU works and how all three of the witnesses could influence those decisions? If so, how could that best be achieved? There is no point in us saying nice things and asking the questions. The most important thing we can take out of today's meeting is for the witnesses give us substantive things that we can work on. I thank the witnesses for attending and for taking the day off school to present here today.