Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is great dissatisfaction across Europe with the level of democracy in the institutions of the EU, particularly the Commission, and this has been cited as one of the reasons that a majority in the UK voted to leave. There was no democratic control whatsoever regarding the appointment of the secretary general to the Commission. Dissatisfaction was expressed in this House, in other parliaments and in the European Parliament regarding that appointment. We now have an opportunity to have a more democratic process by involving this House. It is surprising to hear that Fianna Fáil, despite the confidence and supply arrangement - which is effectively a coalition arrangement - does not have an input into this and that the House will not have an input either.

The next five years will be critical and the decision on Ireland's next Commissioner is very important. Gender is an issue that should be considered very actively given that many in Europe are of the view that the Commission's gender ratio should be 50:50. We could take the initiative in that regard and select a Commissioner from among the many distinguished women in public life in this country.

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