Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I do not see it as being as powerful a job as the critics make out. It would be akin to the high representative for external affairs trying to bring together and represent views, while not being an independent, powerful governor in his own right.

Much has been made of the reduction in numbers for vetoes. If we want decisions made, we cannot allow unlimited vetoes. When countries have vital interests, they are generally shared with others, which encourages alliances. Vetoes should be reserved for important matters. Whether we have 12 or 13 seats in the European Parliament will not matter very much. No disrespect to the European Parliament, the main protection of our interests is our membership of the Council of Ministers.

An enlarged role is envisaged in the treaty for scrutiny by national parliaments. We must be realistic about what is possible. Many of the measures taken by the European Union are of a technical nature. We must rely on expert civil and public servants, under political supervision, to represent our interests. It is unrealistic to think we will be able to second-guess the detail on everything. I am glad we will not opt out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the debate on which is somewhat like the debates on the social charter in the early 1990s. We will not go down the British road in that regard.

On justice and home affairs, my instinct would be to take the least possible opt-out. I suppose, however, we must recognise the legal practicalities. I do not share the almost romantic enthusiasm of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's predecessor who almost worshipped at the shrine of the common law system.

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