Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I join with the Cathaoirleach in wishing everyone well for 2012. I wish to follow up on what Senator Darragh O'Brien said in regard to our dealing with EU legislative proposals. We are only 50 weeks away from taking over the Presidency of the European Union on 1 January 2013. It would be appropriate for us to have a very proactive role in what the agenda will be in 2013. It is an ideal opportunity to use this House to highlight issues with which we could deal.

Last year, I outlined the fact that there are 129 proposals before the Commission. We could use this Chamber to deal with current proposals before the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council and to set out the agenda and flag issues which could be dealt with in 2013.

I join Senator Darragh O'Brien in calling for priority to be given to setting aside time to deal with EU matters. I met the Government Chief Whip on the matter. If we want to deal with EU matters, additional staff would have to be assigned to deal with them and I understand that is being considered. We should not leave this issue in mid air. We should actively pursue and try to have a programme in place for 2012. We should set aside a particular period of time each month to deal with EU matters.