Smaller EU countries will have to be more vigilant about decisions taken at central level, according to the chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, Mr Bernard Durkan.

He said the European Parliament would have greater powers under the Amsterdam and Nice Treaties and in such a scenario "we must be vigilant and carefully vet the progress and origins of EU directives".

Speaking during a debate on the latest report from the committee, Mr Durkan (FG, Kildare South) pointed out "the natural reaction of smaller countries is that we should have more control over our own affairs". Going their own way would be a disaster for smaller members because "larger and more influential countries, and former colonial powers know they are best placed to circumnavigate the system and have the most experience in this regard".

Mr Tommy Broughan (Lab, Dublin North East) criticised the "broadside" by the Minister for the Arts, Ms de Valera against the EU during a visit to Boston, last September. "It was an impetuous, ill-thought-out and badly argued analysis," he said of her remarks that directives agreed in Brussels often seriously impinged on Irish identity and culture.