I will try to stick to the subject as much as possible. Europe has achieved a great deal through co-operation, helping to promote peace, expand trade and tackle the challenges that no country can solve alone. We owe a great deal to Europe when it comes to that, but the co-operation works best when respect for the independence of democracy is put above the member state. Most European citizens, and certainly a lot of Irish citizens, see a tremendous disconnect between Europe and themselves. People see European legislation or policy introduced in this House. We put the belt and braces on it and gold-plate and stamp it. People feel Europe is not helping them any more and is, in fact, hindering them when it comes to a number of policies introduced through Europe. For instance, we are the only region in the world that punishes its own citizens for problems created in the United States, China and Vietnam, and that is pollution. Carbon tax was introduced to this country via Europe was legislated for here. We are the only place punishing citizens, who cannot really do anything about it. We have to face the facts. China and America are the biggest polluters. They have walked away from the table. The old phrase is America innovates, the East replicates and Europe legislates. We have to get away from that and back to what Europe was about. It was about making life better for European citizens. We have the Presidency and the opportunity to fix that and change things in Europe.

Sentiment score: 0.12