Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

There is a myth that there is elitism in Irish politics. It is a myth I reject categorically as a Member who espouses the values of republicanism and equality, particularly of all Members in this Chamber. I respect Deputy Ferris's views.

I listened to the Deputy's history lesson on Ireland and Europe. It was not the same history lesson I learned in national or secondary school. I take great pride as a member of the Fianna Fáil Party in the fact that when Ireland joined the EEC in 1973, there were people of vision in the party who realised Ireland could not remain isolated and not embrace the European project. The people were asked to ratify that decision and did so overwhelmingly.

The European project is not about centralising power to a bureaucracy in Brussels. It is the greatest peace process established in modern times, an oft forgotten fact. In 1939 the Second World War started and by its end over 40 million people had died on mainland Europe fighting for various ideologies. Out of this emerged the European project. It is an important issue which is often lost in the debate as to whether member states are surrendering their sovereignty or young Irish men and women could die on foreign shores. The European project is contrary to everything Deputy Ferris claimed. It is about ensuring people are equal and brings citizens, ideologies and opinions together to serve all.

This morning I launched the Leonardo da Vinci programme in the Kimmage-Crumlin-Walkinstown-Driminagh area of Dublin 12. It is the opposite to all of Deputy Ferris's claims about the European Union which has funded projects not only from the top but from the bottom up. If the Deputy claims the European system is centralised, I suggest he visit that project where he will see the opposite. Through the project the European Union has funded a programme to assist employers and the long-term unemployed in areas of social disadvantage. For those who claim the Union is anathema to our sovereignty and the bottom-up approach, they are wrong. It has encouraged us to think outside the box, have a broader vision and implement policies through this Parliament and the Government it elects. It has provided resources, too.

The history lesson given to us in the past 20 minutes by Deputy Ferris suggests Ireland would be a better place if we had never joined the European Union. What about being able to tackle massive emigration and high unemployment problems? What about the infrastructural development, investment in education, the ability to export to broader markets without tariffs that the European Union has provided us? Perhaps my view of history is very different from that of those opposing the twenty-eight amendment to the Constitution.

Membership of the European Union has been positive, not only in the context of social inclusion and the economy but also in the Northern Ireland context. It encouraged people to broaden their minds. Perhaps Deputy Ferris should consider it differently instead of saying no, no, no like a former British Prime Minister or never, never, never, as the First Minister of Northern Ireland once did. Even they have changed their views. I suggest the Deputy and his party change their views on European integration which respects the sovereignty of member states and the diversity of Europe.

Ireland is a small country. When I left secondary school, options were limited. I was lucky because I came from a farm. Many of my peers in school and college had to emigrate or take up substandard jobs. The European Union has been good to this country. Any policy introduced by the Union through the Commission, the Council of Ministers or the European Parliament has impacted positively on people's lives.

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