Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like the other speakers, I thank the ambassador for coming here today and for his contribution. He explained in some detail the position of Kosovo and its wish to become a member state of the European Union. We wish Kosovo well in its endeavours. I note that Albania and Macedonia are a little bit further down the road following a recent decision of the European Commission. Obviously, there are still some issues to be addressed in Kosovo but I hope it is getting there. We will be happy to do anything we can to support Kosovo. It took a long time for Ireland's application for EU membership to be accepted. We agree with the expansion of the European Union and do not wish to pull up the ladder behind us and to take all the benefits for ourselves. The expansion of the European Union is good for everybody.

I note what the ambassador said on EU membership, namely, that it would guarantee peace, stability, good neighbourly relations and reconciliation.

We all would agree with that. The ambassador mentioned that the wish to become a member of the European Union will act as a catalyst for reforms in democratisation, governance, rule of law and economic growth. Is that a painful process? It was painful for us, and perhaps it still is painful for us to continue to implement some EU rules, regulations and reforms. The domestic support for EU membership must be difficult. It is a new concept and idea. Is the process of reforms painful and is there domestic support for this move?