Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Today is a day to think we are lucky people. The Constitution yet again has given the Irish people the opportunity to have their say on Ireland and its place in Europe, and to give leadership on this issue. I believe we should vote "Yes" - vote "Yes" for Ireland, for our future and for Europe, because what we decide will have an impact on the whole of Europe. We should also use this moment to advance our negotiations on the promissory notes, the bank debt and the terms of the bailout. This referendum is giving us these opportunities. It is a very good day for Ireland.

This is also a very important day in the lives of almost 8,000 public servants who are retiring today. Some 1,600 of those are teachers. I ask the Leader for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, on the contribution some of those public servants may make in volunteering overseas. I was struck by a presentation from Voluntary Services Overseas, VSO, which told us of the impact that 1,363 teacher trainers from many countries had in Ethiopia last year. The teachers trained will go on to educate some 800,000 children. While it is a day on which our public servants will reflect on their futures, many of them are young and will continue to contribute in this country while some may consider an opportunity to contribute abroad in the developing world.

This day only comes once every four years. It is an important day in many people's lives, including the life of this country. Let us go forward for ourselves, for Europe and the world.