Ms Scallon, MEP:

One tries to run from one committee to the other and to cherrypick the different reports that one feels are relevant. In the cultural committee I have been contributing to debates on the protection of children on the Internet, the protection of intellectual copyright and, of course, education through sport. Those are the areas I have dipped into and I have made contributions to reports on these aspects.

Ms Scallon, MEP:

In regional policy, transport and tourism two large committee areas, covering transport and regional policy, were merged. As a new member I had no idea that this was a schizophrenic committee. Halfway through the meetings, about 50% of the members would leave. I would sit on. The two aspects covered by the committee have gradually blended together, although they retain a distinct focus.

Ms Scallon, MEP:

Transport is extremely technical. We deal with safety in all forms of transport. Inter-modality is most important but it is difficult for the western and the southern regions of this country to attain it because there must be an equal balance and support between road transport and rail transport linking into sea transport. The west of Ireland desperately needs a north-south rail link. Otherwise it will not have inter-mobility and this will impact greatly on freight transport. The taxation of road users is also being discussed at present. Members will be pleased to know that we are discussing the development of a chip, to be installed in each new vehicle, which will be monitored by the new satellite system in Europe. Road users will then be taxed according to their road use. That is fine if there is an excellent road transport system but if somebody in this country wishes to choose rail, they will be severely disabled in doing so.

Ms Scallon, MEP:

We are also coming to a conclusion on the single European sky. There are different needs and focuses in the various countries but one of the main ones is how to divide the military zone from the civil zone where air usage is concerned. We do not have a single European sky at present or a single military control. Various countries are anxious to ensure they will not be curtailed in the use of military zones by a central decision making process.