John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute briefly to this debate. I cannot go into great detail in three minutes but all sides in this debate, particularly the pro-European parties in the House, recognise that there have been strengths and weaknesses in the European model. During the time of growth and plenty here and in Europe during the last decade nobody was calling for the scrapping of the eurozone or the single currency. Now that there is a downturn and a crisis, it is a different story. All of our problems are being blamed on Europe.

It is good to have this debate. By all means we should eliminate the weaknesses of the European model and get rid of the unnecessary regulations. However, we should also build on the strengths and the potential that Europe has delivered and will continue to deliver. Despite the recessions and financial crises, Europe has contributed hugely to the economic development of this country since we joined the then EEC in 1973. There are very romantic memories of Ireland in the pre-EEC days, of maidens dancing at the crossroads and so forth.

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