Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the European Movement report published today which indicates the attendance of Irish Ministers at EU meetings has increased dramatically and is now at 97%. Ireland is joint second for attendance at all EU meetings dealing with EU affairs. The report also indicates that, out of the 20 committees in the European Parliament, Ireland has an MEP on only 14, leaving six committees with no Irish representation. It highlights the reason, now more than ever, that we need to scrutinise EU legislation.

It comes back to a point I raised more than 18 months ago about the need for us, as part of the Oireachtas, to become part of that process. In fairness to the Leader, he has made representations on the point I made, namely, using the Seanad as part of that process. I ask him to renew that call to the Taoiseach. Even if there is a decision - I am not convinced there will be - to abolish the Seanad, we still have three years remaining in office and can be used effectively to monitor EU legislation and directives. I ask the Leader to request again that we use the process in the Seanad to examine such legislation and set up a proper structure for doing so.