Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Minister to the House. The reduction in numbers is regrettable but blaming the Minister or the Taoiseach, or anyone who represents Ireland in the EU, for that reduction is misguided because it is an unfortunate by-product of enlargement that the MEPs are reduced by one. It was regrettable but it affected the whole EU and we are not unique. On a parochial level, I welcome that Dublin has remained one constituency and retains its three MEPs.

I did a survey some months ago on the disconnection between the public and the EU. My office surveyed more than 300 people, 91% of whom could not name an MEP in Dublin. One lady thought that Angela Merkel was a Dublin MEP. She was a very nice lady but that was a source of some amusement in the office. I concur with Senator Barrett’s point about co-options and there are very few people who would refuse a co-option if they were interested in matters European. It is a factor in the lack of connection. If people do not vote for a person, it is very difficult for them to know who represents them in the European Parliament. There is a level of apathy generally in respect of politics but even more so in respect of the EU because people’s interaction with the EU is at a very low level. We must be mindful of that. The reduction in numbers will not serve to improve things.

I, too, pay tribute to Gay Mitchell who has been a fine MEP for Dublin. I cannot recall which Senator said that MEPs do not get proper recognition for the work that they do. I think it was Senator Burke. That is probably because of the detail involved in so many of the regulations and laws from Europe. I wish whoever succeeds Gay Mitchell and any candidates for the European elections throughout the country the very best of luck. I commend the Minister on the legislation.