Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

As a young child, I remember listening to people in the inner city who had been affected by the events of the Second World War and, in the case of my granddad's generation, the First World War. While the development of Europe in the past half century has been important economically and socially, its most important feature has been the transition from a dangerous place in the late 1940s and 1950s to a safe place, albeit one which still faces challenges.

I remember when Ireland joined the European Economic Community in 1972. Many communities can see the progress achieved through European membership. Without meaning to be parochial, my constituency of Dublin South-West has benefited in that regard. Deputies who know Tallaght will be aware of the significant European investment in the area, the third largest population centre in the State. In this respect, I refer specifically to European Union part-funding for Tallaght hospital, which opened in June 1998, and the institute of technology in Tallaght, now known as ITT Dublin, which has developed a strong relationship with the rest of Europe through the Erasmus programme and other projects. We, in Tallaght, are proud of this connection. The Luas, on which Deputy Brian Hayes and I frequently travel to the House, is a further example of European Union investment. Other communities in the Dublin region have also benefited from EU funding and Deputies from other counties and regions will no doubt refer to the benefits which have accrued to their areas.

I had the honour of assuming the Chair last night when the Taoiseach spoke on the Bill and noted the success of Irish membership of the European Union. I have listened to the contributions of colleagues from all sides. With some slight variations, all the main parties are singing from the same hymn book, which is good for the debate.

Questions were asked about what would have happened if the leadership of the Fianna Fáil Party had not changed. We are all committed to campaigning strongly to achieve a positive outcome to the referendum on the Lisbon reform treaty. I heard some party leaders state they are leading the campaign. The referendum is a challenge for all the main political parties.

We have all heard the arguments made by treaty opponents and seen their posters. I am sorry my face has not appeared on any of the posters around Dublin.

See this speech in context