Mr. McCartin, MEP:

I am happy to be here. I was not always enthusiastic about the idea that had much currency at one time, that Members of the European Parliament should have a right to speak in the national Parliament. I never felt strongly about it. In fact, I have always believed that one level of democracy has as much legitimacy as another. At local government level, representatives have their seats, competences and functions. The same applies at national and European levels. With regard to the idea that MEPS should have the automatic right to speak in the Dáil or the Seanad, I believed it was an effort to assert that the national Parliament had the last say, regardless of the constitutional decisions that have been taken and the compentences we have decided to share with neighbouring countries. It is a hangover from the traditional family situation where the father took the decisions and that never changed.