Shane Ross (Independent)

I welcome the fact that the European Parliament is centre stage. While it is a wonderful day that events in Europe have caused controversy in the House and aroused strong feelings, we are discussing them in something of a vacuum. I ask the Leader, who I know has made some efforts in this regard, to ensure the House has available to it an information channel which allows Senators to find out what is really happening in Europe when circumstances such as the current events arise.

This morning, it appeared that if the Commission were to be defeated, we would be on difficult ground. Nobody appeared to know what would happen for at least a month. It would have been appropriate for someone, even the Minister with responsibility for European affairs, to come before this and the other House to explain the matter and its implications. We are left stranded when these sorts of circumstances arise in Europe.

There may be some benefit for Ireland in this, and perhaps the Leader of the House would convey that message to the Taoiseach. We could have Deputy McCreevy back.