John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his very positive contribution. He is a totally committed European and does an outstanding job in regard to all EU issues. His role in the coming months will be critical. I thank the Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny, Deputy Connick, and all those who contributed today.

This is the first occasion on which we have had a debate on the six-monthly report. I acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas communications unit, which launched a very effective report last week on the PNR database of the aviation industry. It received very good coverage in the national press and all the broadsheets carried the story very effectively. This week, a very important and detailed report is being launched on food labelling and the traceability of food. The vested interests were involved in the relevant debate, thus addressing the democratic deficit so evident in respect of EU issues.

I acknowledge the work of all my colleagues who have debated the issues and the role of the secretariat, which does outstanding work. I also thank the legal advisors. While the staff of the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny are stretched, the work they do is quite outstanding. I am quite certain the issue of the Lisbon treaty will be resolved and that we will, in the forthcoming debate, produce a very clear roadmap on what can be done. Once again, I acknowledge the Vice Chairman, who has been very supportive. Cross-party support is very effective. I thank the Minister of State for being here, for staying through the debate and for responding to it with a very positive contribution. He acknowledged the importance of having further scrutiny in the plenary session. I am delighted to note that he has given it his full endorsement. I very much look forward to having an intense debate in the coming period on directives that would have an impact. I thank the Acting Chairman, Deputy O'Connor, for giving me the discretionary time to respond.

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