Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

As others have said, this debate affords us the opportunity to voice our opinions on a very important issue. I should declare an interest as I am Chairman of the European affairs committee. Tonight we propose to take committee meetings into the public arena so members of the public can participate, as well as those who are in favour and against the treaty. I hope the debate will be of benefit in assisting the Irish people make up their minds on the issue.

Deputy Chris Andrews noted that people will always say they do not have enough information but we hope to provide a sufficient amount. I contest the view that we do not have enough information.

We are the living testimony to the benefits of European membership. Of all other countries in Europe, no country has progressed to the extent that this country has since it became a member of that greater body. The reason for this is simple; it is because we have had access to more than one market. We were dependent on one market when we supplied our next-door neighbour with cheap food and labour.

It became a way of life, where Irish people were expected to go forth and supply the market on a continual basis, to the detriment of our own economy. That is the reason we exported our population all over the world and particularly to our neighbour. That country was very good to us as it gave us employment and bought our goods, although it was always a restricted market. When things were not going so well over there, we also suffered the chill and draught, ultimately paying the price.

Since accession to the European Union, or the Common Market as it was known at the time, we have done remarkably well. We have also proved something which we needed to prove — that we were capable of doing it and if we got a fair chance and even break we could make it on our own. We moved away from a position where we were dependent on a handout and were expecting manna from heaven to fall at every opportunity. In the past number of years, we proved as a country we could do it ourselves and tango with the best. We have done so very effectively and we have nothing to worry about in that respect.

We have also shown leadership within the European Union, which is very important in this particular context. There is no sense in going forward, sending Ministers or taoisigh to Council meetings and gatherings of Heads of Governments unless they go with a purpose. As well as taking on board issues they must go to lead. With any areas where we have missed out or where we believe we should have done better, this only came about because we failed to lead adequately. Such instances are very few and far between.

People regularly assign blame to the European Union in this country when something goes wrong. It is an easy target and a whipping boy for when something goes wrong. We can blame the bureaucrats in the European Union. Nevertheless, I was told confidentially some years ago that we have a fair amount of bureaucrats ourselves and we did not need to go over there for them. We could supply them with a full market if there was a need.

We have participated and must continue to do so. We must lead, initiate and propose matters. At times we must provide opposition to ensure we do not go slavishly forth into the European arena, with one hand as long as the other and nothing to offer. We have dominated and we will need to dominate in the future in order to do the job which needs to be done, not only for this country but for the benefit of Europe.

There are those who suggest we should vote "No" at this time. It is a little like going into a football match, being halfway through the turnstile before trying to reverse. It is a very difficult exercise, if anybody wants to try it, and it has about the same effect. To say we can vote "No" and it will have no effect is like saying we can stay away from work tomorrow and it will have no effect. Theoretically this is the truth but if one does so too often, there will be recriminations.

It is necessary for us to be seen as positive and give a lead on the matter. We are the only country in Europe that requires a referendum on the matter. We should prove that having a referendum is not an impediment to democracy but is rather a positive step. Some European countries have good reasons for not having a referendum. Some have very stark memories reminding them of this.

There are 500 million people in a market of which we form part. We are leading members of that group of people.

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