Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am disappointed Members have not more time to speak on this very important Bill. I listened to the contributions from Deputies Allen and Harkin. The Government should consider withdrawing this legislation as it is dangerous, devious and bad. It is bad for Irish citizens and bad for Europe. If this was put before the Irish people, they would reject it. This is the reason Irish people are becoming cynical about Europe. Ministers could be making decisions about people's lives and on whether people should be prosecuted. This is the worst legislation I have ever seen coming through this House. As somebody who has never been pro-European, this will not do anything for the European Union because the people of this country will see this as European legislation dictating to this Parliament.

We are a few weeks away from a general election. I question whether we need a general election, a Dáil or an Assembly, because we have no power in this Assembly any longer; we are being dictated to.

Deputy Harkin referred to the European Commissioners. They are selected for office but in a true democracy they would be elected. We have too many people who are selected such as Government officials and county managers. At least Members in this House are elected by the people. Deputy Harkin has been elected by the people to serve in Europe and for this I respect her. I do not respect commissioners because they are selected by governments.

This is serious business and the people of the country do not know what is happening. I can tell the Minister of State there will be future referendums on Europe and we will spell out what is going on in Europe. We will spell out to the people what is happening at European level and what is happening here in this House.

I will finish as I started by questioning the need for this Dáil. The people who died in this country in 1916 and in 1921 would turn in their graves if they knew that the great Fianna Fáil Party was selling this country out to Europe and that we no longer have any power in our own Parliament. Fianna Fáil will be out at Easter marching up and down. The Taoiseach will be marching up and down with the green flag behind him but the Government has sold us out to Europe.

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