Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The sub-committee will have a difficult task. While one does not want to pre-empt what the Chairman will say to the committee members, it is very important that they come with clean hands. The sub-committee is not about prosecuting the case for or against Lisbon but about adhering strictly to its terms of reference. I hope each member of the committee will approach it with an open and frank mind. The members will have a very difficult task to analyse the challenges facing Ireland in the EU following the result.

The Minister mentioned that we cannot pretend that our position in the Union has been unaffected by the outcome of the referendum. It is important that we understand the consequences of the vote. I hope the committee can tease out how the landscape has changed. Perhaps the Minister, as an ex officio member of the committee, will contribute to it to outline why or how that has changed.

Others issues for consideration include Ireland's future in the EU with respect to economic and financial matters. We have had seismic developments here in recent days. In one respect it can be said that it vindicates the view that one can look after one's own economic affairs. It will be interesting to see how that pans out. It will be interesting also to see what difference that makes to social policy, defence and foreign policy and our influence within the EU institutions. Ireland has enjoyed significant influence relative to its population within EU institutions. It will be interesting to see whether that has changed following the rejection of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty.

One of the terms of reference of the sub-committee is to make recommendations to enhance the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas in EU affairs. The Joint Committee on European Scrutiny is doing good work in this area but lacks resources. Greater support must be afforded to it in carrying out its scrutiny role. The requirement that it report by 28 November represents a tight timeframe. I understand it will be a week before the sub-committee can be set up because the motion is not on today's Seanad Order Paper.

See this speech in context