If there is agreement on a new EU treaty over the coming days another referendum will be held in Ireland. This is a legal requirement that has been in place ever since the Crotty judgment of the mid-1980s. This means we will be voting for the sixth time on a new EU treaty since 1987. This should be seen as an opportunity for a broader debate on the work of the EU's institutions and the role Ireland is playing within this evolving political and economic entity. However, I do not agree with the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, who recently stated that countries which did not support a new European treaty would have problems continuing their membership of the European Union. Mr. Prodi's warning shot to EU Governments and citizens is a highly unwelcome development and should be criticised in its entirety. It does not contribute one iota to the positive role of the debate that is taking place about the future of the EU.

Much progress has been made on the need to ensure that the citizens of Europe fully understand how the Union carries out its business. Governments set up the structure of the EU Convention along the same lines as the National Forum on Europe in order that proposals could be brought to EU Governments about the future operation of the Union. I pay tribute to Senator Maurice Hayes for the important role he has played as chairman of the National Forum on Europe. EU leaders are meeting this week in Brussels to discuss the broader proposals for a new EU treaty. That does not mean that different Governments and people in Europe do not have concerns about certain proposals being discussed. I do not believe that taxation matters, for example, are best left as the preserve of individual member state governments and local authorities. I fully support the retention of the unanimity requirement for taxation decisions to be taken by the EU. It is not in the best interests of the citizens of Europe to allow the EU to take decisions on taxation matters through a majority voting system alone.

We must recall that even now there are more than 50 different areas where the European Parliament has power of co-decision with the governments of the EU concerning a range of economic and social policy issues. The European Parliament has power of co-decision concerning environmental issues, social and employment matters, consumer protection, promotion of public health, allocation of Structural Funds, to name a few. In the context of the future make-up of European institutions, it is important that smaller member states are effectively represented at the top table of the European Commission. There must be equality of representation on the European Commission between smaller and larger member states. The European Commission is a very important institution and manages EU competition policy and many of the practical aspects of the running of the EU Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy.

Within the European Parliament I serve on the fisheries committee and on the industry, external trade, research and energy committee. My membership of the fisheries committee has come at a time of reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, which is critical for the future of the Irish fishing industry and at a time when there is an unprecedented need to protect the interests of Irish fishermen, their families and the coastal communities to which they belong. The Common Fisheries Policy must be geared to keeping alive regions that depend on fishing rather than making it a battlefield between states. Fishermen share common interests. They all need fishery resources to carry on their activity. There are problems with fish stocks at this time. We have an obligation to be serious about fisheries conservation and sustainability of fish stocks. However, recovery plans for fish stocks cannot disregard the social and economic consequences. I regret the current unsatisfactory state of fish stocks and am in favour of conservation. Since day one I have been adamant that highly sensitive areas must be protected. This is particularly true of the fishing area known as the Irish Box. I had the privilege of being appointed rapporteur by the fisheries committee in the European Parliament on this sensitive issue of major importance to Ireland. Time and again I stressed that the area known as the Irish Box was a rich fishing area with a high concentration of juvenile fish and spawning grounds. I stressed it was critical that the EU applied restrictions on fishing efforts within the area and vital that the Irish Box be maintained as the biologically sensitive zone in the interests of sustainability of stocks.

Earlier this year the European Parliament in Strasbourg voted for my amendment, detailing the need to protect the Irish Box, by a massive majority. In so doing it voted to protect the legitimate interests of Irish fishermen. I have insisted continually that fishermen and their representative organisations must be allowed greater participation and involvement in the decision making process of the Common Fisheries Policy.

In the recent reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission has finally agreed that fishermen and their organisations must and will be more involved in the future. I welcome the proposal from the European Commission to create regional advisory councils which will include fishermen and their organisations for the first time in the decision making process. The European Parliament has now been formally invited to draw up a report and give its opinion. Once again the fisheries committee has nominated me to draft the report on this important matter. I will consult widely with fishermen and their organisations before drafting my report.

The setting up of the regional advisory councils is a constructive policy issue and must be supported. It can only be successful if it is properly financed and resourced. As a member of the industry, external trade, research and energy committee of the European Parliament I deal with a wide ranging set of policy issues, which are implemented at EU level, concerning the operation of commerce in the European Union. At present the European Parliament together with the European Commission and the EU governments are working strenuously to implement the Lisbon agenda. This agenda aims to make the EU the most competitive region in the world by 2010. To ensure the European Union becomes the most competitive and knowledge-based economy in the world, there must be investment in human capital, innovation, research and development. The advancement of the Lisbon process has also been rightly set out as a key priority for the Irish Government during the forthcoming Presidency of the European Union.

Specific attention must be devoted to the needs of innovative small businesses in peripheral regions. One area of particular interest relates to the future operation of the telecommunications industry in Ireland and in the European Union. We live in a new information society where peripherality need not be a drawback. If the right infrastructure is put in place, notably broadband, and if adequate investment is made in providing skills training, regions such as the west and north-west can compete on a more equal basis with central locations. The benefits of new and evolving technology, such as broadband are more important now than ever to the Government given that the Minister for Finance has announced his plans to decentralise many Government offices. My constituency of Connacht-Ulster is an Objective One region and will continue to be until 2006.

I urge the Government to ensure between now and 2006 that the counties which have Objective One status are guaranteed a package of financial incentives for new industries setting up in these regions. The western and north-western regions of Ireland were accorded Objective One status in an effort to ensure balanced regional development is promoted. If Objective One status is to be successful, we must ensure that a new infrastructure, a modern telecommunication network, is put in place in these areas in order that indigenous and foreign direct investment can locate in the west and north-west.

I also take a particular interest in agricultural issues. The Common Agricultural Policy is still more important to Ireland per capita than any other member state. I have regular contact with farming organisations in Ireland. Recently I have had particularly close contact with farming organisations concerning the latest changes introduced on the future operation of the Common Agricultural Policy. I welcome the Government's decision that all direct payments for cattle and sheep premia be fully decoupled from production as and from 1 January 2005. Decoupling will present a clear opportunity to eliminate red tape which has been too much to the forefront of the practical implementation of the CAP in recent years. Decoupling is a big change for Irish farmers but it is one that will bring much needed stability and economic security to the sector which, in recent years, has experienced much uncertainty. In addition, farmers will be free to focus more sharply on the market and on the demands of the consumer. In turn, this will provide a firmer basis for a competitive food industry. The shift in focus of the EU Common Agricultural Policy towards the needs of the small farmer is a welcome development.

I represented the European Parliament at the WTO talks in Mexico. While, unfortunately, no deal was reached it is important that rules are agreed at a multilateral level for trading operations. The talks are of great significance to us in Ireland. We export 90% of the beef produced here and as a result we have a real interest in ensuring that an orderly set of rules is in place to govern trading relations between different countries.

I stated at the beginning of my contribution that these are challenging times for the European Union. However, it is fair to say they are exciting times as well. We look forward to Ireland assuming the Presidency of the European Union in January, which presents us with a challenge of overseeing the enlargement of the Union. It is a great opportunity for us to market our country on the international stage. Enlargement is an opportunity for us to strengthen our links with the ten new countries joining the European Union. New markets for Irish exports in these countries will guarantee more jobs at home.

Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom lua go bhfuil tábhacht mhór ag baint le caomhnú ár gcultúir agus ár dteanga. Tá sé soiléir in Eoraip an lae inniu go bhfuil meas ar an éagsúlacht. Go deimhin, tá sé luaite i réamhrá an dréacht-chonartha gurb é tríd an éagsúlacht sin a thiocfas an t-aontas. Ba chóir dhúinn díriú ar an mana sin chun ár dteanga dúchais, an Ghaeilge, a chur ar chomhchéim le teangacha eile na hEorpa. Tá deis iontach againn é sin a dhéanamh agus muid i gceannas Uachtaránacht na hEorpa ón chéad lá den bhliain seo romhainn. Léireoidh sé sin don Eoraip, ach go háirithe do na tíortha atá ag teacht isteach, go bhfuil meas ar an éagsúlacht chultúrtha atá á éileamh acu le fada agus iad tár éis cinntiú go mbeidh a gcuid teangacha féin in úsáid go forleathan san Aontas méadaithe.

He referred to taxation in his presentation but does he see any problems arising on this issue as we near completion of the draft constitutional treaty? Is there a danger that the concept of subsidiarity may be diluted in the context of taxation? The public is concerned about this issue.

Will the European institutions be able to cope with the problems posed by the diversity of location, language, culture and economies when the Union enlarges to 25 members? We are doing everything in our power to inform the electorate about the workings of the institutions and we appreciate the role of MEPs and their communication with us. I am grateful to the Leader for organising these visits of MEPs to the Chamber because they give us an insight into the workings and complications of the institutions. It is easy for us to live in another world and not to reach out to the citizens of Europe, but we are reaching out in the National Forum on Europe, chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, and through the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs. There is no substitute, however, for the presentations here. In preparation for the constitutional treaty referendum this visit is a golden opportunity for us to reach out to the public. I wish Mr. Ó Neachtáin every success in his campaign.

I commend him on his efforts on behalf of the fisheries industry. I am a rather distant observer of the politics of Connacht-Ulster, but I can see that through his commitment to it he is strongly associated with the industry. Looking back on our entry to Europe in 1973, all sides now concede that to a degree we neglected fisheries. In his work as a rapporteur to the fisheries committee in the European Parliament is he able only to stem the tide or is there any realistic prospect of trying in some way to redress the balance? In other words, is his job a case of preventing a worsening of the situation or is it possible to improve the livelihood of our fishermen and is there any way in which more people can be attracted into the industry?

What is Mr. Ó Neachtáin's view of the Parliament as a political institution? Does he feel that he has a role and that people are listening in such a large forum? Here and across the country we feel very distant from the politics of Europe and from those of the European Parliament. What type of role can he play as an MEP from a small country? Is it an effective role that allows him to make a point and to have that point and argument taken on board by the higher powers in Europe?

I wish to follow up on a point made by Senator Bradford. Mr. Ó Neachtáin has been a Member of the European Parliament for some months and he is one of 600 such Members. While the two biggest groupings, the Social Democrat grouping, and our grouping, the Christian Democrats, divide the house in terms of their numbers, is it his perception that being a member of a smaller grouping gives him influence as an Irish Member of the European Parliament? Do his colleagues act in a party or a country sense? I have put this question to other Members of the European Parliament. I would be interested to get his perception of that issue. When candidates are elected to the European Parliament there is a view that they simply act in accordance with their broader European party grouping or is it the case that Members very much respond to their national calling? As a member of a minority grouping in the European Parliament, does he believe that within that group he has influence to make an impact on behalf of his constituents?

I listened to some MEPs speak here about the raft of legislation with which they are dealing that will affect this country. Does Mr. Ó Neachtáin consider that members of the Committee of the Regions, who are members of local authorities and represent local authority areas, could play a role in regard to legislation and directives, which, when transposed into Irish law, have caused major problems in certain areas? I refer in particular to the wildlife habitats directive, an impact of which was that some areas were designated as NHAs and SACs without sufficient consideration being given to the concerns of the landowners affected. I mention in particular areas where certain farmers had substantial areas of eskers with gravel in them, which were rezoned and which has left them almost useless financially for those concerned. Perhaps Mr. Ó Neachtáin would comment on this as it has been a very serious concern for many people. This was people's pension and the future for their families in terms of financial gain at a later date. With the stroke of a pen in Europe, by means of a directive, that disappeared.

The constituency I represent, Laoighis-Offaly, got into the BMW region as part of it is included in the disadvantaged area. Any assistance Mr. Ó Neachtáin MEP could offer to the disadvantaged BMW region would be appreciated.

I will pose a question which is perhaps in the same family of questions to which Senator Mansergh's query belongs. Within the European Community or among its parliamentarians, does Mr. Ó Neachtáin have any sense that this great European project is stumbling? I will not say faltering, but stumbling. A deep cynicism now exists among the people of Europe. My colleague, Senator Ormonde, has regularly noted in this House and in the National Forum on Europe that – if I have correctly interpreted her remarks – we are moving beyond the people and need to return to them. The Euro-barometer statistics published in the past two days indicated a very deep anti-European Union feeling, if not a Eurosceptic feeling, although Ireland and Luxembourg scored highly in the mid to high seventies in terms of approval for the EU. It is interesting that these are two small countries. That may be significant. As an MEP, is Mr. Ó Neachtáin getting a sense of all this in his dealings with other groupings and EU parliamentarians? I do not know the answer, but it seems there is a separation in that a European intellectual elite operates within the constitutional process, while other people are left outside.

We did not cover ourselves in glory with regard to the fisheries agreement. The fishery spoils were divided in accordance with the stakeholders' ability to fish and we accepted that at the time. Relative stability was accepted and we must live with it. Nevertheless, every time our Minister goes to a fisheries summit in Brussels, he comes back with an enhanced performance. I was encouraged by the recent vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg which showed that MEPs are on the side of conservation. They realise the danger to sustainability of fish stocks and they want to continue the efforts to improve the fishing industry. The Spanish delegation, of course, tried to block my amendments to maintain the Irish Box as a conservation area.

Senator Brian Hayes asked whether a small group has influence in the Parliament. The Union for Europe of the Nations put forward those amendments and we got support across the political front. Members of the European Parliament do not work primarily as individuals or as members of their groups. All MEPs think in national terms. The Spanish did so when they broke the whips of their respective political groups. That is encouraging. We are not tied to a political group. We can go out and garner support individually. Early in my European parliamentary career I was encouraged by the vote of 3 June 2003. It was an example of what can happen.

The Parliament allows one to make a positive approach. We have the same opportunity as any of the 632 Members. I am encouraged by the willingness to allow for each shade of opinion. We work within our political groups, even within small political groups, and encourage support from other groups. There are many factions within the bigger groups, such as the socialists and the Christian Democrats, and we can find common ground with them at all times. I have been encouraged by the way the Parliament works. It is democratic and I praise it for being so. The political system gives one an opportunity to express one's opinion.

Senator O'Rourke raised the question of the recognition of the Irish language. From the beginning the status accorded to the Irish language was not sufficient. Irish is an official language of the European Union, but not a working language. That was not highlighted until the ten new member countries demanded that each of their languages would be a working language. Malta has requested that Maltese, with a speaking population of 300,000, be a working language. There is no benefit in returning to the mistakes of the past but if we were now entering the European Union, we would certainly demand that our language be a working language of the Union. If our Government demands that status for Irish it will be forthcoming. That is the solution and it will be important for our ethos and for our future aims for Europe. Diversity is the basis of unity in Europe. This is an encouraging aspect of the European project.