John Bruton (Meath, Fine Gael)

One of the reasons I brought forward the notion of directly electing the President of the European Commission was not because the President would be in a position of great power but because it was a way, every five years, of allowing people in Ireland, Britain, Latvia and Italy to make a choice about an individual. That making of a choice about an individual would be the best way of getting people interested because the individuals campaigning would have to put forward their respective priorities and, in the process of the campaign, people would become interested. Whether we examine the "You're A Star" television programme or the election of the President of the European Commission, it is people and contests that get others interested. That sort of contest is the best way I can think of for meeting the real problem to which the Leader of the House referred.

In response to Senator McDowell, the principles which should govern the CFSP should be respect for international law and process. Process reduces the likelihood of disputes boiling over. The difference between the European and American approaches is that we are placing more emphasis on a process that allows people opportunities to back down, whereas the Americans see a problem and want to go for it. That is a fundamental psychological, as well as political, difference between the way the two continents approach issues which is founded in their different histories. Europe's history has been relatively unfortunate compared to America's fortunate one.