Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I am delighted with this amendment. I have often argued that the European Union (Scrutiny) Act 2002, which has been in place for more than five years, needs to be updated. I am glad the Minister of State has accepted that it is important to include in the 2002 Act some means of updating the arrangements in this regard.

This method is somewhat isolated because I am not sure there is public awareness of this amendment. I never wanted directives and regulations dictated to us from the central institutions of Europe. There should be transparency in respect of decisions taken in this country. The Oireachtas should decide on implementing regulations. This would allow people to be aware their public representatives look after them. We need a public relations campaign for this. I am becoming aware of this now because I am the spokesperson on these matters but I had to learn about it. It is very important that we can scrutinise the diktat from Europe with an opportunity to discuss whatever regulation is issued.

The concept of scrutiny should be revisited. I am not satisfied it works well. Only those who are members of the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny understand it. As spokesperson on European affairs, I believe we have a duty to let the public know how the sub-committee is working and how institutions and the Oireachtas work hand in hand. We must be in control of our destiny, not subject to a diktat from Europe. If we violate the regulations we should have an opportunity to discuss it so that everyone can understand our reasons.