Seanad debates

Thursday, 27 November 2003

Address by Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP.

 

The committee of the regions has a tremendous role to play because we sometimes feel ourselves to be in a spaceship. We are reliant on a two-way flow of information and we need to ensure our communication systems are working. For that to happen people from all over Ireland, particularly those involved in local government, need to know what is going on as regards issues that deeply concern them. It may be only one or two issues, but they can contact the Commission. It is one of the reasons I am a determined supporter of each member state having its own Commissioner. While in theory Commissioners are supposed to represent the whole of Europe, there is no substitute for each member state having one, together with his or her cabinet, so that detailed problems can be brought to light, thus enabling the kind of exchanges that are necessary which will ensure that those in Brussels understand the impact of legislation at the grassroots. They are interested in this in theory but we must make it a practical proposition. I hope I have answered all of the questions.

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