Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He has done a great deal of work on this issue during the past number of years. While it was not his fault the referendum was not passed, we must question why this was so. The former Taoiseach should take a considerable amount of the blame for not putting his full weight behind the issue.

I am long enough around to remember Ireland in the early 1970s and 1980s and what we have gained from Europe. There is no doubt but that Ireland has gained unbelievably from its membership of the EU during the past 30 years. Those of us who were members of local authorities know what Europe has meant to us in terms of improvements to our roads and water and sewerage systems throughout the country. Also, through our membership of the EU, we have become much more forward-thinking.

I listened with interest to many commentators on this issue, including Mr. Ganley and Mr. Ben Dunne who received great air time on Joe Duffy's "Liveline" and on several other shows. A point made by them is that Europe is being run by unelected and unaccountable people. I do not believe they have been challenged in this regard or on what type of Europe they want. When they say those running Europe are unelected and unaccountable, what exactly do they mean? Do they mean the Parliament should be running the show? When they speak of elected people, are they speaking of people elected solely to Europe? I believe we have a great system in Europe through the Commission, Council and Parliament, all of which provide for co-decision making.

The Joint Committee on EU Scrutiny visited Brussels a number of months ago and met with eight Commissioners who were open and frank in every regard, in particular in respect of the issues with which they were dealing in Europe. They were much more open than the Irish Government. I believe Mr. Ganley and Mr. Dunne should be questioned about the type of Europe they wish to see in the future.

The current crisis in our beef and pork industry was brought about by wrongdoing which would not have been discovered but for the controls put in place by Europe. We have Europe to thank for this, bad and all as the crisis will be for our economy, pig producers and people working in the industry. There are cowboys out there. However, the controls put in place by Europe has increased standards in Ireland and we must be thankful for that.

It will be difficult for the Government to re-run the referendum. While the people have spoken in this regard, I believe there has been a change of attitude since then. As Senator Donohoe stated, politicians must lead people in this regard. I do not believe that is what happened on the last occasion. We cannot drive people into Europe or drive them forward; we must lead by example and bring them with us. There is no other place for Ireland but in Europe, which is a 500 million people market and open economy. We have more to gain from being in rather than out of Europe.

I compliment Senator Donohoe and the sub-committee on its tremendous work in compiling this great report which lays a good foundation for the weeks ahead in terms of the direction in which we will go.