Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Higgins is very welcome. The last times our paths crossed, we were watching the debacle of the dustbin recount in Castlebar. Perhaps we should not revisit the last European elections. What was the winning slogan that was provided by the young girl from Donegal? I would like to hear it, if Deputy Higgins can recall it.

Like Senator Keane, I would be interested to know what is being said in the corridors of Brussels about the UK position. What is the feeling among colleagues, staff and other people about the impact it may have? Is it as unsettling as it may appear?

Does Deputy Higgins think the Common Agricultural Policy will do enough for small farmers, many of whom live in the enormous Ireland North-West constituency he represents. I am sure many of them have made representations to him about their concerns regarding the Common Agricultural Policy. I wonder whether he has any thoughts in that regard.

I share the views expressed by Deputy Higgins about the Irish Presidency. The rotating Presidency seems to cause a great deal of upheaval in Europe every time it switches. I accept that there does not seem to be another solution. Of course some countries are better able and better placed to assume the Presidency than others. Some countries have more experience of it, for example. Is there another formula that might work? Is the current formula satisfactory?

When the House debated Seanad reform yesterday, I was one of many speakers who suggested that the future of the Seanad might involve a role in scrutinising European legislation, perhaps as the national House for legislation that comes from Europe. The Lisbon treaty now gives us the status to scrutinise that legislation. I would like to hear the views of Deputy Higgins, as a former Senator and as an MEP of some distinction.