Derek McDowell (Labour)

On the final point made by Senator Norris, in recent days the Labour Party has been making the case, to which it will add further nuance, for a minimum rate of tax for people whose earnings are above a certain threshold. I do not believe such a suggestion would be divisive on a party political basis. I think we would all agree that there is merit in maintaining the integrity of the system to ensure that those who earn very high incomes pay a minimum level of tax.

I agree with Senator Brian Hayes's basic point that it is a good day for the European Parliament, which has faced down a Commission with which it does not agree. I agree with Senator Norris's point about the judgment of the President designate of the Commission, who clearly went to the European Parliament without intending to pay the blindest bit of attention to the Parliament's views. It is clear from everything Mr. Barroso said, his demeanour and the way he went about his business since the relevant committee rejected Mr. Buttiglione a couple of weeks ago that he had no intention of paying any attention to the views of the Parliament. It is good that it has been established today that Mr. Barroso cannot get away with such an approach. On a more general level, his judgment has to be called into question. Given that his judgment has been shown to be fundamentally flawed, I wonder if it is possible for the President designate to come back to the Parliament with a Commission in the next three or four weeks.

Like Senator Norris, I feel it is worth asking why virtually all the Irish MEPs were willing to vote for the proposed Commission. I suspect that the views which have been expressed by Mr. Buttiglione would find little enough expression in this or the other House. I find it deeply disturbing that the overwhelming majority of Irish MEPs, including all Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael MEPs, were willing, for whatever reason, to vote for a Commission that included Mr. Buttiglione. They may have faced political pressure, they may secretly agree with Mr. Buttiglione or they may think that nobody here will notice what is happening in Strasbourg. Perhaps people in Fianna Fáil felt that he was one of their allies, as the Italians are within that particular group. It is a good day because events in Strasbourg are being given a measure of attention here.