Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I fully accept the Chairman and members of the scrutiny committee do an outstanding job. I also fully accept that the staff who work there, are highly productive and efficient and I have no objection to providing more resources to assist the committee. Obviously, it is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to decide on the allocation and priority of resources. That is not a function of the Government, or of any individual Minister, but I admire the work done and commend everybody involved.

We very much enjoy our interaction with the Joint Committee on European Affairs and like to attend it. This proves useful for us before we attend meetings in Europe. It is also good for the committee and those Members who are involved in debates here, including Members of the European Parliament, who are able to attend here from time to time as it provides them with extra information on the common position of Ireland. We take on board the advice, guidance and consensus that is usually there on European issues across this House. I would not have any difficulty coming back to discuss the outcome of various Council meetings but in many cases no absolute conclusion is reached on each issue on the agenda at these Council meetings. These issues can remain on the agenda for a long period and reappear at subsequent meetings of the joint committee. I would not have any difficulty, nor do I think would any of my colleagues, in coming back to discuss issues again post-Council meetings.

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