Louth Green Party

"The changes introduced in the Treaty of Lisbon aim to give national parliaments a meaningful role in the law making process of the Union, as well as a veto over certain potential changes in how the Union operates. The purpose of the Treaty changes is to provide a mechanism whereby national parliaments may draw on their knowledge to advise the Union when its legislative proposals may exceed what is required to resolve a particular issue that may be better resolved at the level of the member state. This week, with the help of the party's EU Policy group, we made a submission on this issue to the Oireacthas Committee on behalf of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas. One of the key points in our submission is that the whole Seanad play a role on the operation of the ‘yellow card/orange card' procedure. As a House which at times seems to be searching for a greater role in political life, this would surely be welcomed. The Seanad also prides itself in providing a closer degree of scrutiny to legislation and having a membership which draws from a wider range of experience than the lower house."