Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

They are just getting hyper because they have been kept here so long.

European Union legislation is usually initiated by the European Commission rather than the European Parliament. The Commission seems to have most of the authority in the EU. We need to engage in a strong public relations campaign to highlight how the EU works. Many of the concerns about the EU, some of which have been articulated by other speakers during this debate, are based on ignorance — people do not fully understand what the European project is about. People tend to reject things when they do not understand them. The offices of the European Parliament and the European Commission on Molesworth Street in Dublin are willing to provide huge amounts of information about what happens in this country and in Europe. They are happy to explain how the EU affects the lives of the citizens of this country and the other member states. The Government seriously needs to publicise the role of the EU. The negative impact that this Bill will have on the public perception of the role of the EU will be the fault of the Government rather than the EU itself. The Government is attempting to rationalise democracy in this country in a manner that suits its objectives.

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