Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht agus roimh Bhaill Pharlaimint na hEorpa atá i láthair. I am perhaps unique among the group leaders in that I am the only one who had some European ambitions at the last European election. I am glad the voters of Munster decided I was better off in this House and obviously since I could not go to Europe, I had to do my best to bring Europe here.

The Members of the European Parliament are very welcome. This is a very important, symbolic occasion in terms of creating a level of democratic accountability within our own Parliament for what happens in the European institutions as there is a significant gap in terms of knowledge and debate.

I welcome all our colleagues, in particular, Proinsias De Rossa from my own party, a distinguished Member of the European Parliament who has given considerable service and has considerable knowledge. He has been an enlightening figure for many of us in the Labour Party about the positive aspects of the European project by giving a deeper understanding of what Europe needs to learn. I am looking forward to the debate which I believe will be lively and a good launch to what I hope will be a serious national discussion about the European constitution.