Lisbon Treaty committee webcast averaging 74 viewers

An average of 74 political aficionados are logging onto their computers to watch each meeting of the Oireachtas Committee discussing the Lisbon Treaty, new figures show.

The Sub-Committee on Ireland’s Future in Europe was the first all-party body in the history of the state to be webcast last month.

Official figures show that the first seven meetings during October, which included appearances by former Taoiseach John Bruton and Minister of State Dick Roche, drew a total of 515 hits.

The meeting that drew the most viewings was 132 on October 21 when Microsoft officials and politicians from the Danish Parliament delivered presentations.

The lowest was 39 on October 16 when TDs and Senators discussed “institutional structure and governance of the EU.”

The Sub-Committee, which is chaired by Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe, is analysing the challenges facing Ireland in the EU following the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty referendum in June.

It is also tasked with considering Ireland’s future in the EU in relation to economic and financial matters, social policy, defence and foreign policy and influence within the European institutions.

Forthcoming meetings will feature European Commission vice president Margot Wallstrom as well as representatives from Ictu, ESRI and ICMSA.

The Sub-Committee is due to compile a report when hearings are completed which will be presented to the Government.

The report’s findings will form the basis of the Taoiseach’s presentation of possible solutions in the post-Lisbon impasse to the European Council in Brussels in mid-December.

The Sub-Committee is made up of 12 members representing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin, the Greens and an Independent.