Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Exactly. Let us not kid ourselves. We have had that conversation here in recent times on the importance of certain portfolios. It is something that will have to be dealt with because if there are 37 Commissioners, how do we find a job for everybody that keeps everybody on the pitch with equal standing and all that? That is a conversation. I welcome that conversation and that debate happening. I think it is healthy.

Treaty change will send a shiver down the spine of everybody here because of the need to hold a referendum on it. Although the Lisbon treaty provides for flexibility as regards enlargement, if and when treaty change is needed, let us not be afraid of it. That is if we need to have a conversation nationally and we can justify a particular change, why we should support it or why it is needed. This could be a long time down the road but it is nothing to be afraid of. We have done it before and we can do it again, only if and when it is needed. I certainly would not like to see us taking it off the table because we just do not know where things are going to go. We ultimately want a union that is effective and functioning and serves its citizens. We will have a lot more citizens.

We need to think about the changes in the geopolitical situation and the instability globally. We are also dealing with issues such as those Ursula von Leyen outlined for her year ahead, for example, taking on China and anti-competitive practices. We must also look at the issue of precious metals and how we protect our indigenous industries and grow and deal with the technological and digital transformation we need. There is a lot of change coming at us very fast and we will need to adapt as a union to deal with those changes and make sure we serve our citizens. I would welcome the Minister of State's thoughts on enlargement, where that is heading and how we can deal with those challenges.