Drapier notes that the new Oireachtas Committees are now up and running. The talk of Leinster House is the recent European Affairs Committee meeting in Castlebar.
Enda Kenny opened the proceedings, Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche and Slovenia's ambassador, a sister of the president of Slovenia, made presentations. The Border-Midlands-Western region, the IDA and the Commission for the West made separate submissions.
There was a good turnout of members. The committee membership includes Deputies Gay Mitchell (chairman), Seán Haughey, Ruairí Quinn, Michael Mulcahy, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Pat Carey, Jim O'Keeffe and Barry Andrews. Local TDs John Carthy and Beverly Cooper-Flynn, together with Marian Harkin and Senators Don Lydon and Anne Ormonde put searching questions. Leas Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke, was on hand to support the committee.
According to Drapier's contacts, the committee sat for four hours. Half of the time was given over to a seminar with three local schools, St Gerald's, St Joseph's and Davitt College, whose pupils also put questions. Is this the start of bringing Europe to the people? Drapier understands that the committee intends to hold further such meetings around the country.
Drapier hears that the ambitions of the committee extend to inviting Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, to address it. Some of the colleagues feel he should be allowed to address the Dáil, or perhaps the Seanad, though Bertie is not too happy about this. The problem is, if he goes before the Dáil or Seanad he will not be asked questions. Perhaps an appearance at Dublin Castle at the Forum on Europe chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes might be a compromise.
One thing is sure. Colleagues are getting the message: there can be no repeat of Nice I. We need to take the people with us next time out.
Drapier hears that the Italians are gung-ho for the Convention on the Future of Europe to finish its work in June so that they can have a second Treaty of Rome during their EU presidency later in the year. There is a good chance that the new treaty will not be ready until the first part of 2004, during Ireland's presidency. A Treaty of Dublin might well be on the cards.
On the subject of Europe, Drapier notes speculation that the Mayo dynamo, Michael Ring, may declare for the European Parliament elections. Ring will be in the hat, so to speak. If he does run, going on past experience, his slogan could be "Give Brussels a Ring". Joe McCartin is stepping down so there is a vacancy in Connaught/Ulster for a strong Fine Gael candidate.
In Munster the European Parliament President, Pat Cox, should be a shoe-in; the steady John Cushnahan and affable Brian Crowley seem set to be returned. Gerard Collins is a good operator and is odds on to keep his seat.
Leinster, however, will be much more interesting. Liam Hyland will stand down as may Jim Fitzsimons. This should make it easier for Avril Doyle and Nuala Ahern to consolidate. Dublin is a different kettle of fish. Proinsias De Rossa and Niall Andrews are certs. Green antics in the Dáil and at Shannon may not help Patricia McKenna at the end of the day and Fine Gael's Mary Banotti is not standing. Fine Gael has only three TDs in Dublin and one of these may run but the party may just go outside the mainstream and look for a big name.
The real difficulty is that Ireland will elect two fewer MEPs next time out. The Boundary Commission is examining the implications of this for European Parliament constituencies. The country could be divided in two. Alternatively, all of Leinster, including Dublin, could form a new six-seat constituency. Or Clare could be transferred to Connaught/Ulster, perhaps adding Louth to give a new North/West constituency. The real field of runners will not be known until the actual boundaries are decided. 2004 could see the most interesting European elections yet. Drapier will be keeping a close eye on those colleagues who are attending the new weekly French classes for members of the Oireachtas.
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Nearer to home Drapier notes the continuing concerns of many colleagues about the abolition of the "dual mandate". What is to happen to the proposal for directly elected mayors, already legislated for? Martin Cullen has shown a lot of bottle and some good judgment; backtracking on elected mayors may prove an exception to this.
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Farmers continue to leave the land and agriculture has only half the economic impact it used to. Still this week's Dáil debate on the crisis on the land was well attended. Billy Timmons made an impressive speech. Liam Aylward also showed his debating skills. Drapier doubts if the same interest will be displayed in the coming weeks in the debate on Iraq. C'est la vie, as they say in the French classes.
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Law and Order is now competing with housing as item number one on the Leinster House agenda. Violent crime, in particular, is the talk of the corridors. Accountability is an issue. Michael McDowell's mettle will soon be tested. Expect to hear more about ministerial accountability and the accountability of Garda management and the judges as the Oireachtas gets its teeth into this issue.
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RTÉ has, at last, started broadcasting Leader's Question Time. TG4 has led the way. There is a case to be made for permanent TV coverage of Oireachtas business. The innovation shown by TG4 in public affairs may well see them lead the way again. They have been to broadcasting what Ryanair is to air travel competition. They have many fans in both Houses.
Drapier predicts that more and more day-to-day work of the Oireachtas will be transferred to Joint Committees of the Dáil and Seanad. With all this work Drapier is looking forward to the opening of the long promised gymnasium at Kildare House. A fit Oireachtas should be a better Oireachtas.