Examination of Witnesses (Questions 300-303)
Mr Robert Cooper and Mr Richard Crowder
30 JUNE 2008
Q300 Chairman: Three plus one plus
one, which does not, in fact, increase the credibility of the
European Union.
Mr Cooper: No, it is ridiculous.
Q301 Chairman: Could I just come
back to the example that you gave earlier which we found very
interesting about the role of the ESS as far as Sweden is concerned.
Without expecting you to be too precise, do you think that the
influence of the ESS as an educational influence in developing
the policy of Member States in these sorts of areas is probably
inversely correlated with the size of the Member State?
Mr Cooper: I think it is probably more
random than that actually. From time to time the other place where
it gets cited is here, of course. Now and then somebody underlines
that the ESS laid down this doctrine and therefore we must do
that, but normally somebody produces it in support of something
they are already going to do. That the EU is committed to trying
to make multilateral institutions work is normal and natural,
and I guess we probably would have done it anyway.
Q302 Chairman: Would it be possible
to have some discussion of the issues if there had not been a
certain result in the Irish referendum, totally off the record?
It might be interesting to hear from you an assessment of where
you think we are and what the implication of this is for the next
six to nine months?
Mr Cooper: (The answer was given off
the record)
Q303 Chairman: Thank you very much,
as ever, for coming and spending time with us, we do appreciate
this. We are also very pleased that you seem to be enjoying what
must be a very tough job.
Mr Cooper: Exhausting!
Chairman: Thank you very much.
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