Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Partnership is a very focused arrangement. It is certainly not co-government, as the secretary to the Cabinet might, perhaps, say. Neither do I like the idea of co-decision-making. Somebody must be in charge. I listened carefully to Mr. De Rossa's statement which did not describe co-decision-making. He also used other nice words such as "consultation" but I am not clear as to the precise meaning. I am not sure I like the idea of co-government. I prefer to know who is in charge, who took the decision, made the mistake and is to be held responsible. In co-decision-making, one might have to aim in two directions at once which does not appeal to me.

I wish to comment on the "senate tier", which is an important issue. In using the word "senate" there is a certain problem of vocabulary in that people relate it to the Seanad or the US Senate or whatever. The real problem relates to the absolute authority of the European Commission. Some take the view that the Commission could be subsumed into a body which would consist of two political people from each member state who would be elected on a somewhat similar basis to the US Senate but with a completely different remit or terms of reference. It would give political involvement in the first pillar in a manner which might bridge the democratic deficit which, in the eyes of some, was created by the Commission.

I look forward to Mr. De Rossa's response on these and other issues. I thank him for his input to this debate and the Leader of the House for facilitating it.