Seanad debates

Thursday, 12 September 2002

An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage.

 

Another area of concern seems to be the lack of accountability to the Oireachtas for decisions made by the Council of Ministers and the vetting of legislation proposed in Europe. There is talk of the Seanad's having a greater role in vetting such legislation, but I do not know if that is included in this Bill and the electorate probably does not know either. How will the Government be held accountable for decisions made at the Council of Ministers? Neither I nor the voters believe that this Parliament will be consulted in advance. It is a shame that the Government has not looked at other states, especially Denmark, and adopted a more open and democratic approach to how we deal with Europe and how decisions made there are held accountable. These concerns should be dealt with and any changes made should be explained to the people. The electorate is well educated and sophisticated and questions what we do as politicians. The information during the last campaign was dismal and the situation must improve for the forthcoming referendum. It is important that the Government distributes clear and accurate information on the treaty's implications. Where is the booklet explaining the treaty in simple, non-preaching language that was to be distributed by mid-summer?

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