That led me to consider the role of the national parliament in the decision-making process. As a result of the Nice treaty referendum, it was decided that all proposals from Brussels would have to be monitored initially at our own level and that we should send early warning signals to the European Union in relation to matters we intended to work out and resolve at national level. In that regard, I compliment the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs and its sub-committee on the work which has gone into scrutinising proposals emanating from the Union. That work is ongoing. The sub-committee has devoted a substantial amount of time and effort to deciphering the huge volume of material coming from Brussels. That is a good move and I welcome it.