Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I endorse the comments made by my colleagues in welcoming the establishment of the sub-committee. As other speakers have observed, we are faced with a tall task in the aftermath of the rejection of the Lisbon treaty referendum. Nevertheless, it is a task that is winnable and which can be undertaken satisfactorily. Interestingly, when the Joint Committee on European Affairs had its first meeting in November last year, members were unanimous in their view that the referendum should be held in the autumn of this year. The time schedule for the sub-committee to complete its work is tight. However, time is not on our side in devising a course of action in order to ensure Ireland's position and influence are not further diminished within the European Union. It is preferable that whatever decisions are made should be made before the EU elections. However, I am not sure whether that is feasible.

We must ensure the Chairman of the sub-committee is allocated the resources necessary to allow it to carry out its tasks. The same is true in the case of the existing committees. For the Oireachtas to do the job the public wants it to do in ensuring there is transparency and accountability in respect of the EU institutions, there must be a concerted effort. Success will not simply fall from the sky.

The vast majority of Oireachtas Members, as well as all members of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, were solidly in support of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty. However, this was never reflected in the media in the coverage afforded to the proceedings of the committee. We remonstrated with various media bodies on this issue, including the national broadcaster from which we received a letter indicating that the McKenna judgement was a factor in its decisions in this regard. That issue will not go away. The national interest was hijacked during the referendum campaign by a minority with a far broader interest. Eurosceptics throughout Europe came together in a single, organised, well funded, well focused and politically active bloc. This was hugely detrimental not only to the State but also to the entire European project. I ask that this be borne in mind by the Minister and his colleagues throughout the European Union.

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