Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I was dreaming because I was inspired by the contributions from my right and my left. There is growing evidence of serious euroscepticism. It has existed for years but it is now a growth industry. The very openness of the European Union and its institutions encourage and accommodate such scepticism. European and national institutions are apparently incapable of dealing with it, however. A crunch time will eventually come when the hard right and the hard left come together in common cause. I hope that during the term of the next European Parliament, the new institutions will make a special effort to address the issues fuelling euroscepticism. During past referendum campaigns, we have encountered the various homes of euroscepticism in our neighbouring country and across Europe. Those involved have said nothing to us that would in any way endear us to their policies. They have repeatedly said whatever suits the audience in their home countries in order to bring them to national prominence. Unfortunately, that is the way these matters work. Unless something is done to examine the causes, of which there are many, and the extent to which they can be addressed, the problem will remain. There is no use listening silently to somebody who comes forward with an outrageous or ridiculous suggestion. The presumption is that the speaker in those circumstances is correct. Somebody else will pick up the argument and it goes on from there.

The EU-US trade agreement to which Deputy Reilly referred could have major significance for this country. I have repeatedly spoken about that agreement in this forum and elsewhere.

It is essential the European negotiators recognise that they must negotiate, having regard to the welfare of all European countries and not for the benefit of one at the expense of others.

Ukraine has been an issue for some time. I am disappointed by the extent to which the European Union has found it possible to engage with the situation there. I know there are difficulties and to interfere internally in a country is very difficult, but European countries have not been at one on this issue over the past three or four months. That is a weakness that is recognised by the Russians and by people who have other interests in Ukraine other than national interests.

My colleague referred to messages of hate. Incitement to hatred legislation in Europe is totally inadequate. There have been numerous outbursts of hatred directed at various groups of people in society. Incitement to hatred legislation has not done, or is incapable of doing, anything about it or is inadequate. A careful look should be taken at all incitement to hatred legislation in member states and at EU level to ensure this kind of thing is addressed. Otherwise it will go on and will be like an all-consuming fire.

We must not forget that the war in Somalia was started as a result of an apostle of hatred who sent out the same information again and again, targeting groups of people on a local radio station, and succeeded in revving up the tension to such an extent that it boiled over. We know the consequences of that. Let nobody tell me we are sophisticated enough in Europe not to allow that kind of thing to happen again. Anything can happen. Murphy's law will always prevail in that if it can happen, it will happen.

I pay special tribute to my colleague, Deputy Dooley, who was very entertaining in his appraisal. He very adroitly managed to mince along the economic footpath much like a mannequin at a fashion show, avoiding all the possible pitfalls and responsibilities that were there and carefully avoiding any responsibility which anybody previous to the current Government had in regard to the situation the current Government and the people of this country have had to shoulder. Lest anybody be in any doubt, I mention that the people of this country and both parties in government have taken on themselves the problem of resolving a most impossible task, an issue that was almost beyond the bounds of comprehension. It was in the minds of many of us that the country would not survive and that we would be facing an economic Armageddon for many years. The fact that did not happen is a great tribute to the Irish people who solidly decided what they were going to do and made the sacrifices, tough as they were. The Government had the resolve in very difficult times and it faced a lot of criticism and negativity. It stood up and did its job, which was very difficult to do.

Do not forget we have just been talking about propaganda and what it can do. It can undermine a lot of things.