Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I am my party's spokesperson on European affairs and I am on a learning curve. I am a good listener and I have decided to put away my prepared script and speak about the little knowledge I gleaned from the two Nice referendum campaigns. There is an element of truth in the view that the first referendum was lost because of dissatisfaction with the democratic deficit and with the fact that decisions affecting us all are taken in Brussels. I asked myself how much I knew about Europe and began to take a deeper interest in the issue. Fortunately, I was appointed to the Forum on Europe, but I still have much reading and listening to do on how best to proceed.

This is an excellent Bill, which provides us with an opportunity to scrutinise in the Oireachtas any proposals coming from Brussels. The work will be undertaken by a joint Oireachtas committee. I strongly welcome the Bill and compliment the Labour Party on initiating it. It is heartening to see a consensus on this issue. We are all singing the same tune in regard to how best we can go forward and connect with the public. Our efforts in regard to having the proposals and legislation coming from Brussels monitored and scrutinised will help Sean Citizen to know what is going on in Europe. I was worried about that issue but it has been delightful to go out on the campaign and say that we are putting new structures in place and that we have formed the forum on Europe to discuss the future of Europe. We will take heed of what is being said.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, to the House. His appointment is a clear indication of the commitment of the Government to European affairs. This is an intrinsic part of how we analyse and monitor proposals that are coming from Europe as well as aid in designing a Europe of the future.

Last week we initiated a debate on Seanad reform. I have not yet had an opportunity to speak on this subject but one of the proposals is very close to my heart – that the Seanad should have a major role in the important task of surveillance and monitoring of EU developments. We could play a watchdog role. Perhaps MEPs could visit this House and inform us in regard to issues of trade and commerce and living standards so that all citizens understand how the European Union works and how matters are debated in that forum. That would also have the benefit of enhancing the role of the Seanad.