Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join with the welcome to Ms Prendergast. Our terms did not overlap but she was evidently an extremely popular Member of the House. I thank her for her address.

I am concerned about the loss of an MEP to this country. Ms Prendergast said it has been suggested that this country would have only one constituency. That would cause concern as we have a problem with a democratic deficit in that this House might be abolished, there will be eight fewer Deputies and many local authorities are scheduled for abolition. Perhaps there is another way. Senator Bacik indicated that localities should have representatives which might not happen in the event of having one national constituency. I am interested in hearing a response to the issue.

President Obama is most interested in free trade between the United States and the EU. There is a trade meeting in Dublin in April as part of Ireland?s Presidency. What would Ms Prendergast put on the agenda for the meeting?

The other concern relates to the fact that the troika and the IMF have referred to the high cost of sheltered sector services in this country. Does Ms Prendergast?s work in the services Single Market give us some hope in that regard? I again welcome Ms Prendergast.