Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Mitchell and thank him for his excellent speech. His responses to questions showed his mastery of the brief for which I congratulate him, in particular for the work he is doing in development. Almost every time we have had a referendum on a European treaty, the issue of abortion has come up and has been a very controversial and sometimes complicating issue, sometimes not for very good reason when one considers that the Maastricht Protocol has been there since 1992 and the EU does not have a competence in an area like that. Yet there are interconnecting issues, for example, in the area of development and the EU's engagement with the developing world. I have often wondered whether enough is done by the Irish Government or MEPs to ensure our distinctive values on that issue - we have a Constitution that honours the equal right to life of the unborn and mothers, notwithstanding current controversies at home - are brought to bear on the EU's international humanitarian and other engagements. I brought forward a motion on gendercide with others in the Seanad which was very well-received for the most part across the floor of the House. I know that is an issue in which Mr. Mitchell takes an interest.

Notwithstanding the good work done at EU level, people still wonder about the massive wastage that occurs every time the EU moves lock, stock and barrel to Strasbourg once a month and whether something can be done to reassure people at home and outside the EU that it is not a gravy train.