Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senators for their participation in the debate. Unfortunately, Senator Bacik has just left but I wish to inform Senators that an information note on this issue was submitted to the EU steering committee in August. The proposal itself was laid before both Houses in August.

We must bear in mind that the Government felt strongly that we should be part of the debate. This is not about the substance of what may or may not be agreed. It is simply a motion to allow Ireland to participate in the debate. It is a Commission proposal so it has not come before the Council yet and it probably will be some considerable time before that happens. Clearly, when we get into that and if things begin to emerge, it will obviously be dealt with by the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny in the first instance. I am sure the sub-committee will forward it to the Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs when that committee is set up. Therefore, there will be ample time to debate the substance of what is emerging as we go forward but it is not expected for some time. On balance, it was the right decision that Ireland should be involved, not just to be positive but also to protect the kind of quality system we have in this country.

Another point I wish to make, which was made earlier, is that this is not harmonisation of social security, rather it is co-ordination between different social security systems. There is a fundamental difference between these two things. That is where we are at this stage. It is very early days. It is a Commission proposal and until we get into the debate and discussions, we will not know exactly what is going to emerge. Clearly, the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny will be provided with and privy to documentation. It is fine if it wishes to forward this documentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs. I thank Senators for their support.