John Bruton (Meath, Fine Gael)

——and of equals, then we must apply the rules equally to everybody. This is an area in which I am extremely critical of France and Germany.

I stress the importance of the subsidarity early warning system, in so far as it will involve national parliaments in scrutinising EU law before it is considered by the European Council or Parliament. It would be a great step if this could be introduced in advance of the constitution. Why can we not introduce the protocol on subsidarity and national parliaments without waiting for the constitution? Such a move in consulting all member states' national parliaments on EU legislation would create a good atmosphere.

I do not know if Deputy Sargent is in the Chamber as I do not have eyes in the back of my head.

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