Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I will allow my young colleague to contribute. As someone who has been involved in European affairs for many years and who was proud to represent Ireland at many European Council meetings while I was the Minister of State at the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Finance, when I dealt with the budget, I see Europe as being great for Ireland and we should not turn our backs on it. The treaty must be passed, not just by the Dáil, in respect of which there is no problem, but by the people. I want it to be passed resoundingly in the referendum.

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