Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

-----or the nature of our own relationship with the European Union. I happen to believe we are members of the European Union - that is factual. As such, we have signed up to a process of consultation through co-decision procedures and interaction with the Council of Ministers and the Commission. When the Commission makes a legislative proposal, if there is a co-decision procedure to be adhered to, then we, as members of the EU, are party to that consultation process. When an agreement is reached, primarily on the basis of consensus, we then transpose the directives. In this case, the directive dates back to 2008, so we have to transpose it. If we all agree to the fact we are members of the EU, then we subscribe to those founding principles and the legislative actions arising thereof, and to which we are party.

To take the points made by Mr. Jim Power, he was extrapolating from a UK figure. While the Senator states he has no grá for Mr. Jim Power, dare I say it, I happen to think Mr. Power is provocative and is one who has provoked debate in a very positive sense in this country around issues such as agriculture, for example-----