The marginalisation of Parliament is also a particular problem in Ireland - with the "social partners" becoming the key group in negotiating a National Recovery Plan at the moment - as a key example.   However we also don't  have a radical separation between Parliament and executive - as the executive members are also all parliamentarians - and ultimately all their power derives from having a majority in parliament.  The issues of jobs, taxation, economic recovery, law and order, government investment in infrastructure are all very critical issues to people's lives whereas the EP simply doesn't have much competence in these areas to engage with people and make a difference.

notes from no w here