Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We agreed eventually and reached a compromise that if a country wanted a particular language it would have to pay a contribution to the European Parliament to provide the service. Other than that, we got a significant number of amendments over the line, including one where the representative of the joint parliamentary scrutiny group, JPSG, on the management committee of Europol would be required to report back to the plenary sessions of the JPSG. That had not be specified in the articles and protocols. As the representative had not been obliged to report what happened, the amendment is significant. Our success with these amendments is an example of how Ireland can influence Europe. We can ensure that the terms of references for various committees are influenced for the better and for the betterment of Europe.

People who live in Ireland are fortunate that Ireland is neutral and is seen as neutral. Ireland is seen as a country that promotes and negotiates peace all over the world. We are seen as people of integrity when it comes to international affairs. I refer, for example, to the way we have dealt with and welcomed refugees and how Irish missionaries travelled abroad for many decades to carry out humanitarian work.

As for Ireland's role in Europe, it is up to us as parliamentarians to embrace Europe and support our Minister of State, Government and Parliament by going to Brussels and engaging in debates. The biggest challenge faced by the secretariats of various Oireachtas committees is persuading parliamentarians to travel to Brussels, which is a pity. The JPSG committee consists of six MEPs and four representatives from each of the Parliaments. The more we go to Brussels and participate in the various committees of Europe, the more we can take ownership of the European project and the more we can drive the European project.

Today's debate has been very useful but I would like to have seen more people here. It looks like the debate will conclude in less than an hour yet during the Order of Business, on many occasions, people have discussed, lambasted and complained about Europe instead of attending here today and engaging in this debate, which is a pity. That should not deter us from having the Minister of State here on a regular basis to discuss European affairs and how Ireland can play an active and central role in the future of Europe.