Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I am not aware of Fine Gael policy in this area. The leader of our group in this House gave a commitment when the issue was debated on Second Stage last week that he would resign his Seanad seat if elected to the European Parliament. That is the only implication for Oireachtas Members of our party contesting the European elections.

On the direct elections in 1979, the whole project was so unusual that it was quite obvious candidates of national prominence would get in. I have strong views about this because some of them ended a term in Europe to come back to Cabinet for six months, and the Government subsequently fell. Some of these people were not re-appointed following the third election in the early 1980s when the Government's successor went into office. The policy is inconsistent.

On the Government's majority, the previous Government had a much slimmer majority than this one. All political commentators said it would not last two years, or just three years at the outset. However, it did last, albeit with a very slim majority. I suggest to the Minister of State that the Government has a bigger majority on this occasion and if things do not work out, it has three or four spares in the boot. Obviously it would not suit any Government to have by-elections as a result of elections to the European Parliament. This is probably the basis for the Government's position in terms of this amendment.

As this was supposed to happen in 2007, I thought the Minister of State might be in good form with us this afternoon and that he might, as a result of a good debate, accede to our demand to accept the amendment. That does not appear to be the case. Given his reply, I withdraw my amendment.