Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I saw the attempt coming yesterday to cloud this and sow confusion. The people deserve better than clever political scripting to try to cause confusion around clear facts.

Oireachtas scrutiny, which many Members mentioned, is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. It is important that Ministers speak before every Oireachtas committee in advance of and after Council meetings. In addition, however, it is important to scrutinise legislation. Fine Gael has mentioned to us the idea of going back over previous directives and how they were interpreted, and we are agreeable to this. We need to examine, on an all-party basis, a way to develop proper Oireachtas scrutiny of EU legislation both past and present. I appreciate the efforts of the Opposition parties and all concerned to work with us to achieve these guarantees.

The issue of the Maruko case was raised by Senator Ross. Actually, it was Senator Mullen. It has been a long two days.