I move:
That Dáil Éireann hereby appoints Mr. Justin Keating of Bishopland, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare (who has been nominated in accordance with section 15 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977, by The Labour Party) to be a representative in the Assembly of the European Communities for the constituency of Leinster in place of Mr. Séamus Pattison who was nominated in accordance with section 15 of the fore-mentioned Act by The Labour Party and who was appointed by Dáil Éireann and who has resigned as a representative in the Assembly with effect from 16th December, 1983.
I have paid tribute already to Deputy Séamus Pattison, whose work in the Assembly was of unfailing diligence and whose knowledge and understanding of the Social Fund and its potential will stand him in good stead in his current appointment.
I wish also to say a word about Justin Keating. I regard him as one who could hardly be better qualified to represent this country in the Assembly of the European Parliament. A distinguished member of Government from 1973 to 1977, a gifted commentator on public affairs, and a man with a deep and abiding interest in matters political, agricultural, and cultural, he will bring an added dimension to our representation in the European Parliament.
I wish, too, to take this opportunity to set the record straight in relation to the spurious charge, usually purveyed on occasions such as this, that my party have somehow downgraded the importance of our European representation. Although Fianna Fáil have frequently levelled this charge at us in the past, they have never accused their own partners in the European Progressive Democrats, The French Gaullists, of downgrading the importance of the European Parliament, although no fewer than 40 of that party's deputies have occupied the 15 seats held by that party in the lifetime of the Parliament.
The facts in relation to rotation of seats are these, and it is important that they be clearly understood: The total numbers of changes in the European Parliament has been 102 — 103 including this proposed change.
The changes from each member state has been as follows: Belgium, 12; Denmark, two; Greece, four; UK, one; France, 46; and Ireland, seven as of today.
In the Socialist Group since 1979 there have been 35 changes out of a total membership of 125. These replaced members who had become: President — Mitterand of France; Prime Ministers — Mauroy of France and Craxi of Italy; Commissioner — Pisari of France; and Ministers in Ireland, France, Italy, Greece and Denmark and ambassadors, Ceann Comhairle, and other positions. By contrast, the Gaullists, who are Fianna Fáil's partners in the Group of European Progressive Democrats, practice a rotation system known as the Tourniquet system. Under this system every member on their electoral list for the 1979 elections had to sign a declaration that he or she would resign after one year. In fact 15 French Gaullists were elected in 1979 but 40 members have sat in the European Parliament. The main reasons have been their pledge and party pressure and some of their seats have changed hands five times.
I am asking the House to accept the nomination I am putting forward today.
