Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

As well as its role as a legislative assembly, it is important, as many others have pointed out, to make some connection with Europe. The Seanad could play a much stronger role in scrutinising not only regulations and legislation emanating from there but the activities of the EU. I would not exclude from that Council of Ministers meetings, Commissioners' activities or the European Parliament. The Seanad could have a role whereby MEPs, as a right, would have an audience before this assembly on a regular, scheduled basis. That is important in order that parliaments not only in Ireland but in other EU countries keep themselves fully au fait with what is happening at European Commission level.

There is a deficit of information flow. In part, much of the current debate in this country is as a consequence of that. That needs to be addressed across the Union and not only in Ireland. We could be an important component of achieving that.

Making contacts with other countries within the European Union is important. This will be particularly important as the Union enlarges to include 25 to 27 countries. The Leader of the House will be aware from her experience that Ministers cultivate and develop personal friendships which, in turn, translate into benefits nationally, but the Parliament could play a role in that regard. Perhaps the Seanad could on, say, a monthly basis invite a member of another European Union parliament to address it on EU issues of concern to that parliament or to us or on internal matters. If such debates were properly reported in the media, they would bridge the information deficit in this area that currently exists. That would make the structure of the European Union, which often seems remote, more relevant to people. Many people talk about Europe as if it is over there rather than appreciating that we are part of it. That type of mental approach needs to be tackled.

I mentioned that we should have Senators from Northern Ireland. There should also be some formal arrangement, if possible, between the Seanad and the Northern Ireland Assembly which would enable us to have exchanges and interaction with the members of that Assembly and freely debate issues of common importance to both parts of this island.