Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Three years ago, when Europe reached a historic agreement on the constitutional treaty, I recall Valéry Giscard d'Estaing saying to the negotiators: "This is what you need to do if you want people to build statues of you on horseback in the villages you all come from." Despite all the hope and confidence that might have been achieved, in the end the agreement and the statues in the villages had to wait. As a committed European and vice-president of the European People's Party, I am pleased and relieved by last week's moves to agreement and consensus which rescue us from the stagnation and divisiveness of the past two years. The Fine Gael Party strongly supports EU reform.

The period of reflection turned out to be more protracted and contentious than originally envisaged. Last week's agreement may have come late and with some difficulty, but it must be said that to conclude the period of reflection in such a positive way was a distinct achievement for the German Presidency, as mentioned by the Taoiseach. I agree, and I pay special and deserved tribute to Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her task was difficult, some said impossible, but in the face of huge pressure and a hardening of attitudes of some member states she led the discussions forcefully and with admirable skill.

This week the Financial Times compared the efforts to change the text to the description of Nabokov's Pale Fire — "A labyrinth of dazzling complexity" and a prime example of "the literature of exhaustion". At 4 a.m. this must have been true for the 27 negotiators and their retinues.

There is no doubt that membership of the European Union has been excellent for Ireland. We have gained huge benefits economically and infrastructurally, but now we need to move on to discussion about Europe in a way that goes beyond the traditional sell of pure economic opportunity, beyond the one-way benefit of what is in it for me. This time we need a real and informed debate on the necessity for the Union and what it really means for us to be Europeans. With another referendum on the way next year, I urge the Taoiseach to give the country the resources and facilities to have that debate in every county and every section of society. There is no room for complacency about the proposal for approval of the revised treaty.

This debate needs to be replicated across the Union. I was intrigued by one of the observations by the international relations commentator, Gideon Rachman, this week, which relates to the comment made by Deputy Seán Barrett, that while the constitution was all about transparency, when Europeans saw what Europe was doing, they were often horrified and hence the "no" vote on the constitution in France and the Netherlands. He wrote:

It was as if the manufacturer of tinned meat had suddenly decided it would be a good idea to put a large notice on the front of the tin stating: 'this product contains re-constituted cows' udders!' How surprising and hurtful that sales should fall as a result.

In the context of language and the understanding of it, when we say we should understand what Europe is at and that Europeans should see what Europe is about, we should be able to explain the situation to people in a more relevant fashion. Entertaining and all as Rachman's interpretation may be, one must question whether there is an element of truth in it. In the new formula did we take away the vital transparency that was achieved in the constitutional treaty, reducing it instead to mere footnotes in tiny print? I noted the Taoiseach's statement during Question Time that he did not agree with the changes made to the original text. He said that he made no secret of the fact that he would prefer the original form. I hope that the Government will offer full and absolute support for this in the upcoming referendum. I hope too that the Green Party, which has voted against the European Union in all previous referenda, and argued against the European ideal whenever it had an opportunity, will see that its responsibility as part of the Government is to support Ireland's view that the European Union is good for this country which, by playing its part in the Union, can be a strong role model for other countries. If the party must consult with its membership I hope that the Green Ministers, Deputies John Gormley and Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, will be able to convince it that this is good for the country because complacency and divisiveness are not the way of the future for Ireland in the European Union.

I agree that the achievement was significant. No benefits will accrue to a divided or paralysed Europe or one that is so stricken with internal views that it cannot agree on the big picture. The member states depend on a Union that works together to bridge divisions through co-operation and an understanding of common goals and challenges. We supported the text of the European constitution and will strongly support this revised document and campaign actively for it throughout the country whenever the date of the referendum is agreed.

I note the Taoiseach's point about the Charter of Fundamental Rights with which he dealt this morning. I accept his view that he supports this fully and the reason he gave for his analysis of the British protocol which came in late at night.

As Prime Minister Blair leaves office today it is appropriate to say that while we have given him due credit for his persistent dedication to the issue of Northern Ireland, his attempt to put Britain at the heart of Europe did not feature in the end. I note that Mr. Blair is to be appointed an envoy to the Middle East on behalf of the Quartet.

The Basque separatist movement ETA, has called off its ceasefire. This is a complex situation and there is serious concern in Spain that it could result in a resumption of indiscriminate bombings. It appears that the Spanish Government is having difficulty in that regard. The situation there is more akin to that in Northern Ireland than that in the Middle East. Perhaps Mr. Blair, with the assistance and advice of the Taoiseach, could speak to the Spanish Government, if requested, about how this might be resolved.

It appears that the Spanish Prime Minister had some negotiations or dealings with ETA. This was a cause of considerable concern at the meeting of the European People's Party. I was able to cite the experience of the Irish Government in handling a difficult and sensitive situation to save lives, build bridges and put together an economy. I wish Prime Minister Blair well in his future career and also wish the incoming Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, every success in his endeavours.

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