Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I wish to bring to the attention of the House that a number of Senators visited the Council of Europe last week. A number of posts were filled there, including vice-presidencies and presidencies of all kinds. Is there a capacity for those of us who attend the Council of Europe to provide feedback to the House on the work we do? I raise this matter on the basis that I am now president of the Sub-Committee on Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe and also because the new leader of the Labour Group, Senator Bacik, referred to the issue of women in politics. The Council of Europe discussed that matter on Wednesday evening last. It is extremely important that the work done at local authority level and in both Houses of the Oireachtas should be tied to that done at European level. If there is capacity for us to do so, we should disseminate information in this regard.

The issue of media freedom was also discussed at the Council of Europe meeting to which I refer. It is important that we obtain access to the airwaves in order that we can highlight the work we are doing and thereby counterbalance coverage relating to the costs of that work.

I would welcome it if we were given an opportunity to provide feedback on what the Council of Europe is doing when we return from attending its meetings. It would also be good if there was feedback from the House on the work being done at committee level in the European Union. That work relates to the work being done in this country.