Seanad debates

Thursday, 27 November 2003

10:30 am

Photo of Brendan RyanBrendan Ryan (Labour)

While I am reluctant to go back over old ground, I have a fundamental issue that I wish to raise yet again, namely, the way in which our policy on embryonic stem cell research was reached. While a compromise is apparently being worked out, the Oireachtas will not know what this is until the vote takes place on 3 December at a meeting of the Council of Ministers. For most of my political career I have been one of the more Euro-critical Members of this House. I should point out that I am broadly in agreement with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the matter. However, the Government should not decide this matter without authorisation from both Houses of the Oireachtas. If the Government states it is entitled to negotiate on such matters without authorisation from the Oireachtas, then the whole idea of accountability and subsidiarity in the EU is entirely meaningless. Public scepticism will grow about the European project. If people begin to believe that the big issues will be decided in secret and without accountability, they will not take the project to their hearts and it will eventually fall apart.

Now that there has been a breathing space, the Government should table a motion for debate in both Houses that states its position and seeks the approval of the Oireachtas. That is functioning democracy. My views on the EU have been consistent for 20 years and I have not changed my position. I see it as a good project done badly.

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