Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Although my party leader has already extended sympathy, I wish to extend my personal sympathy on the tragic deaths of the four young men in Donegal. Road deaths of such magnitude would be devastating for any community but even more so for such a small community. Equally, I extend my sympathy to the families of all the people killed on the roads. We have had a very sad week as there have been ten or 11 deaths on the roads since last Thursday. Last year was a fantastic year with the lowest number of road deaths on record, but we can never take our eye off the ball on this and we must do everything we can. I am not proposing a discussion on road safety but we must keep our eye on the ball in that regard. My sympathies to all the families involved.

I wish to clarify Senator Boyhan's point regarding the meeting we had last week. He said there was no hint that the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 would be taken this week. In fact, when the question was asked about when we would discuss the Bill again we were told it would be during the sitting week beginning on 5 February. It was confirmed to us that we would be discussing it next week, not this week. That is my recollection of the meeting.

However, I rise to speak on something else today. We are discussing the Order of Business and I can only speak about future Orders of Business today because there is no other time to do it.

I would like the Leader to schedule a debate on what I consider a very important matter, namely, the value of the EU to the Irish economy and to that of the EU as a whole. While Ireland ranks second to Luxembourg in the league table, with between 88% to 92% of Irish people in favour of the EU, it is important to have a debate on the values of the EU and that we acknowledge the significant benefits we enjoy, such as freedom of movement across the 28 countries, the Erasmus programme that facilitates young people to study abroad, as well as benefits to agriculture, trade and the Single Market. Much of our legislation on equality, justice, women's rights and environment is a benefit of the EU, as is the European health insurance card, the former E111 form. While I am not entirely happy with every single thing the EU does in terms of CCCTB, digital taxation or the eurozone crisis, it is important to schedule a debate on the future of the European Union and about the value of the EU to Ireland in order that people who are contemplating any other position, which I do not anticipate, can articulate their opinions. Perhaps if there had been a debate in Britain about the value of the EU a long time ago, we would not now be facing Brexit.