John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

On the issue of trucks, people who travel regularly on the stretch of road to which I refer will be aware that a large number of trucks do not have rear number plates. How can gardaí detect anything in respect of these vehicles if they do not have any identification marks on them? We could possibly debate this issue.

The single market in services could perhaps form part of a debate on the Stability and Growth Pact and general European issues. The Single Market has been in place for many years. We are meant to have an open market in terms of capital goods, services and labour but it appears that such a market does not apply in respect of services. The need for such a market is obvious. Commissioner Wallström came before the Joint Committee on European Affairs last week and I questioned her about inconsistencies in the EU. I referred to the case of Intel in north Kildare which could have received assistance and which seemed to qualify therefor, particularly on the basis that it is a high-tech operation. Large countries such as France and Germany disregard the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact with impunity but Ireland was rapped on the knuckles when it breached the pact. The effect of what is happening will be to drive up interest rates and inflation in the European Union, which will have a direct effect on Ireland. If the Union is serious about having the EU constitution adopted, it should consider some of these matters.