Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is important that such voices be heard. The 31st Dáil is different from previous Dáileanna in that it has a number of colourful characters and various shades of political opinion. We need the same in Europe. With the reduction to three seats in Dublin, however, achieving that will be more difficult.

The European Parliament's role has been enhanced. It started with weak powers, but it is now side by side with the Commission. It is important that marginalised communities feel that their voices are represented in Europe. It used to be the view that the dominant lobby groups, for example, corporate Ireland and other sections of society, were well represented whereas people in marginalised communities received crumbs from Europe in the form of local development funds, etc. and had little say. This situation needs to be brought to light.

The reduction to 11 MEPs is a fait accompli, but we must oppose the Bill because of it. We must highlight the fact that marginalised communities and people who do not count themselves as being marginalised are not being represented. People all along the western seaboard could now be hundreds of miles from their MEPs. For example, if Mr. Pat The Cope Gallagher, MEP wins a seat, he will also represent my county. That will be difficult. The area is massive. It cannot be done. How the enlargement of Europe is being balanced must be reconsidered. Countries such as Ireland that are more sparsely populated need a greater number of MEPs per capita. It is not like the city of London with its 9 million people where identifying one's MEP is easy thanks to the local media. Ireland north and Ireland south could each have 30 local newspapers and eight, nine or ten radio stations. It will be difficult for the areas' representatives to keep in touch. It is also important that people see the relevance of Europe. Our party supports membership of the EU, although we obviously want a different type of Union. It is key that there be a connection between people and the European Parliament.

Sinn Féin is fielding candidates in each of the island's four constituencies. We are the only party on the island to do so. We will do our best to ensure a Sinn Féin voice in each European constituency come June.

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