Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

The late Jack Lynch spoke on the debate in this Chamber more than 40 years ago when we had made the decision to reactivate Ireland's second application for membership for membership of the European Economic Community. He opted for EC membership because he understood, as leader of the nation at the time over 40 years ago, that our economic future lay in the Common Market and he saw that Irish people wanted to prolong and share in the ideal of a united Europe that was economically strong and a powerful influence for peace. How right he was. He said in this House that the freedom we enjoy has been hard won, other nations have fought hard for their freedom and they treasure it no less than we do. The countries which have subscribed to the Rome treaty value what they have achieved as separate nations. They value too what they are creating in common. Our wish is to share in this great task.

Deputy Crowe and his party are slow learners on EU issues and on the pooling of sovereignty that membership involves. They seem to see the political task facing this country through the lens of narrow nationalism. The Government and main Opposition parties recognise and are aware that the task we face is a broad one. Promoting and defending Ireland's interest in the European Union is a real national interest about which there is no doubt. This Bill is part of our response to our evolving obligations in the European Union. We will not be found wanting in that national objective by snipping comments about the European Union from the Sinn Féin backbenches. It is time that members of that party recognised that they, too, as citizens of this country like all other citizens have benefited from the European Union. What we are doing today is simply putting through legislation that recognises the responsibilities we have as a result of the two Supreme Court judgments and vis-À-vis the European Union and that links the initial legislation of 1972 with our evolving requirements through legislative processes both primary and secondary since 1972 to today. We are refining our legislation to take account of the strength of the Union and of Ireland and our strong responsibilities to ensure that our laws concur and are symbiotic and parallel with the directives of the European Union to ensure that we can fulfil our legislative operations and requirements as a sovereign state within a proud and successful European Union.

See this speech in context