Alex White (Labour)

It is not pretty. We have all had to examine European directives and other measures for different reasons. I have to struggle with them in another life. It is not exciting or entertaining and it is extremely difficult. We have bound ourselves to doing this work having passed the treaty. Senator Cummins is correct that we need to be better equipped. While I acknowledge these are tight times and the Houses will be unable to secure new resources, perhaps resources could be reoriented towards providing Members with the expertise to make proper judgments and to engage in productive analysis of directives and other measures passed by the EU in order that we can mediate them to the public and be part of assisting the public to understand and make up their minds about them. Senator Leyden fairly pointed out we should not fall into the trap early on of engaging in a partisan approach to these measures because, very often, they do not admit a partisan response. They need a different type of analysis.

The charter is at the heart of everything but it will need a great deal of support, with many people wanting to make it happen. It is a measure that can be invoked in the context of the European Union dealing with European matters and where institutions are dealing with issues that bear on a relatively limited number, although highly important, range of issues.

I hope the trade unions, for example, who see some hope in the charter, as I do, in regard to expanding employee and labour rights, use the charter, take the cases to court, perhaps lose them at lower levels but get to the European Court of Justice and have those battles. The only way to make a measure work is to invoke it and try to have law moulded in a way that suits one's objectives.

In respect of the overall European project, we were too reticent, especially in the first Lisbon referendum, in regard to getting on the highest step possible and arguing forcefully for the great project that is the European project. We allowed ourselves to be drawn very often into the detail, and I accept the detail is important, and not what is the incredible achievement of such enormous historic proportions and what it can be in the future.

I agree with those in other parties who have made the point regarding climate change, for example, which is the single biggest threat facing all of humanity. We are nothing on that issue if we do not work with other countries, for example, and our partners in the European Union. That is where the fight, the arguments and the compromise will have to take place. That is where we need to be, not just to get things from it but to make our historic and unique contribution to change at that level in the interests of the generations coming after us. It is that big of a project and that noble a challenge.

I congratulate all concerned with the "Yes" vote. It was not always clear that was the way it would go. I will wind up in deference to the time pressures, and I thank Senator Cummins for reminding the House that, unfortunately, this is not the first time we have ended up being squeezed, so to speak, but that is an issue for another day. I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senator Leyden for agreeing to extend the time. I will support the Bill on Second Stage.