Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Notwithstanding that it is a restricted document, I have to say I agree with the Minister in respect of Article 3. It gives access right from the get-go. It is always better to be inside the room negotiating with others than to be outside looking in. I do not accept that there is any threat to or loss of our sovereignty by doing this at any stage. As the Minister pointed out, if and when there is an agreement, it will come back to us anyway and we will have an opportunity to debate it in the Dáil. While we have been talking about valid issues, at the same time, we are making too much of a deal about this, particularly when it comes to our sovereignty status.