Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

When people approved us joining the EU, they did so because they thought they would get many benefits from the EU from a social perspective with regard to trade union activities, job security and cheaper access to goods. Europe had a social reputation related to the services provided in health, education, transport and right across the board. It was reflected in the vote for the European elections that people are beginning to see it is not there to protect the interests of people but rather to protect the interests of big companies that have the ear of the European Council every day of the year. This smacks of such ideas.

We must start to put social costs on the European agenda, as every country has a nuanced culture with different services requiring protection. Removing An Post from the primary legislation will have an impact on how it must compete against big companies which function for competitive reasons rather than providing a service to the community. I do not accept the Minister's comments and I support putting this amendment to a vote.

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