Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

In that case I will raise a point of order. Why has the agreement not been placed in the Oireachtas Library, in accordance with constitutional procedures? We could have anticipated many of these issues yesterday. The Tánaiste has described how COREPER has agreed a draft that will be signed without the assent of Parliament. The European Parliament had an opportunity to ask for information on this serious issue, but it had no right to change it because it was an intergovernmental matter, in respect of which there should be accountability to this House. The agreement which has serious content is being rammed through without the opportunity for debate. No joint committee of the Oireachtas will examine it and no committee will be in session until late autumn. In the usual, appalling way it is suggested that those who desire proper parliamentary scrutiny are damaging Aer Lingus or affecting security. This is an outrageous abuse of Parliament. Members should object to the procedure.

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