Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In case he is wondering, the Taoiseach does not have the confidence of all his colleagues. However, I am looking at the situation as it presents. My concern is that I see the wheeling and dealing and the fact that there is no particular criteria. The Taoiseach may deny the presentation of it as he pleases but it appears he was wrong footed and that there was not in place a process by which a collective decision of the Government would be taken or any basis for the consideration of it. None of that came through in terms of the unfolding opera we have witnessed in the past several weeks. That is a fact of life.

I am not an advocate of direct elections in respect of European positions of high office, created by a succession of treaties I do not support. However, I must consider the reality now because, sadly, the Taoiseach had his way in the having the Lisbon treaty adopted by a majority of the people the second time around. There it is and we must live with it for now at least. My point related to what I believe is a fundamental weakness and flaw in the Government's approach to this and its decision making in respect of it. It is not enough to say he is from down the road, that we know him well, that he is a fellow Irishman or whatever is the case. That is not enough.

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