Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I pay tribute to the role of the media since 1 January. I welcome the fact that European Union affairs have been given extensive coverage. Such media attention will engage citizens and long may it continue.

The year 2004 will be a momentous one for the European Union because it will be the year of enlargement and, I hope, of a new constitution. There will be a new Commission and a new European Parliament in the first six months of the year. I am confident that Ireland can rise to the challenge once again and fulfil its obligations.

See this speech in context