Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

On the other hand, Irish consumers and businesses have everything to gain from a properly regulated Single Market within the growing European Union.

I was surprised and disappointed at the levels of negativity displayed towards the EU during the debate in this House last week and today by Members belonging to parties that regard themselves as pro-European. It ill behoves Irish public representatives to make cheap jibes about the alleged machinations of unelected Brussels bureaucrats. Some of the most outstanding Irish people have served our country in Europe at the highest level. Just because they were not elected to office does not mean they did not do a good job or were lacking the necessary intellectual capacity and skills to do so. This type of misinformation gives succour to the small minority in this State which would prefer us to sit in splendid isolation without any of the benefits that 34 years of EU membership have brought, and continue to bring, to all our people both North and South.

There was an implication running through some of the contributions to the debate that EU law is something foreign to Ireland and is imposed on us from the outside. As Deputy Harkin said, nothing could be further from the truth. We are fully involved in the elaboration of EU decisions.

These are taken in accordance with clear rules laid down in the European Union treaties, the provisions of which the Irish people have repeatedly endorsed by referendum. EU law belongs to us, just as it belongs to each and every member state of the EU. It is true that EU law is adopted in a different way from national laws and that Ireland only has a certain number of votes at the Council of Ministers and in the European Parliament. This is the way the European Union must operate with 27 member states. We cannot, however, demand the right to second-guess decisions taken in Brussels just because they do not ideally suit us all the time. We benefit hugely from EU membership and must be willing to give effect to EU decisions when they are adopted with full Irish involvement. All European laws are beneficial to all of our citizens. In different ways and on different occasions, these EU laws are available to each individual Irish citizen to protect and sustain their individual rights where and when necessary.

Let us debate the issues, by all means, but we ought to do so in a calm and rational manner, without the scare tactics we have heard from some surprising quarters during this debate. I reject the suggestion by Deputy Costello that the Government is not acting in a transparent manner. We published this Bill three months ago and have allowed plenty of time for debate.

As regards the comments of Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I must correct him on a number of points. I never said this was an innocuous Bill but that it was a short, technical Bill with an important national purpose. However, I would have expected a better appreciation of the basic rules which we agreed, as a nation, in 1972, when we took on the responsibilities of EU membership. This Bill has nothing to do with creating an EU super-state and most certainly does not amount to a coup d'etat. This kind of gross hyperbole does no service to the cause of rational debate on European issues to which I am personally committed, as is the Government in which I have the honour to serve, and to which most practical and fair-minded public representatives are committed also.

I appreciate Deputy Finian McGrath's reference to 1916, a reference also made by Deputy Ring. I share Deputy McGrath's respect for the founding fathers of this State, as we both share a common heritage. However, republicanism, nationalism and support for the EU are not incompatible. This is the reason the Irish people voted overwhelmingly for EU membership in 1972 and agreed to the necessary constitutional changes which this entailed. Since then, despite all the alarmism of certain politicians, Irish independence has not been compromised or eroded. EU membership has acted to enhance our independence, enabling us to achieve and cherish national ambitions. Indeed, we are stronger today, culturally, politically and economically, than at any time during the history of this State.

EU membership has underpinned our economic success and ended the scourge of mass emigration. Our national language got official recognition within the EU last month, after 34 years of EU membership. This shows both the diversity and democracy of the European Union and, as a republican democrat, I fully subscribe to that ethos.

Deputy Boyle and others suggested the Bill in some way undermines our democracy. Such claims ignore the fact that EU law is adopted with the full involvement of elected politicians and the European Parliament who, between them, have the final say in what is agreed in Brussels. Contrary to the impression given in some contributions, the European Commission merely makes proposals. It is also responsible for overseeing the implementation of EU law. It does not take decisions, make laws or impose anything on the member states. It is a vehicle of service to the entire European Union, with full responsibility for the effective administration of the Union.

I want to correct Deputy Connaughton and put on record the fact that no amendment was tabled to this Bill by the Opposition in the Seanad to enhance the role of the Oireachtas.

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