A chara, - I would like to take up the challenge laid down by Michael Purser of Killiney (June 8th). Mr Purser suggests that "the major themes facing the EU are scarcely mentioned ... let alone policies put forward," and asks why candidates, such as I, are seeking election.
Last month, Fianna Fail launched its European election manifesto in which we presented our party policy on precisely the type of issues listed by Mr Purser. In addressing the media at that event, I highlighted the increasingly important role played by the European Parliament.
With the coming into force of the Amsterdam Treaty on May 1st, MEPs have been given an equal say with the Council of Ministers in 23 new policy areas, including spending of structural and cohesion funds, public health programmes and environmental policy.
Over the past five years, I have spoken on countless local radio programmes on European issues on which I am working on a daily basis and which have a real impact on people's day-to-day lives.
During the election campaign, the Fianna Fail European policy document has been made available throughout the local organisation so that our position on these issues can be brought to the public.
My experience of the past weeks on the campaign trail is that the issues raised by people on the doorsteps are, in most cases, local ones. This is perhaps inevitable when the European Parliament and Local Authority elections are taking place on the same day.
However, I have made every effort to raise public awareness of European issues, not just during the election campaign, but throughout my mandate. In view of the enhanced powers that the newly elected European Parliament will possess, I believe it would be a tragic blow to democracy if the apathy sensed by Mr Purser translated into a low turnout on polling day.
I would encourage all voters, and in particular our half-a-million voters under 25, to turn out and cast their vote. The Parliament is, after all, the EU's only directly elected body and thus the area in which citizens can most directly have a say in the future shape of the European Union. - Is mise,
Gerald Collins MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.