Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

It is one minute to ten. A great deal of damage can be done in one minute but the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be glad to learn I will not do this. Instead, after all of the talk, action and conspiracies, I will quote from the report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs. It states:

The committee has come to the conclusion that the Lisbon reform treaty achieves its objectives of enhancing the efficiency, democratic legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the enlarged Union, as well as the coherence of its external action in order to allow it to respond to the needs of its citizens as they face the challenges of the 21st century. It protects Ireland's vital interests and it allows Ireland to remain at the heart of the EU, thereby ensuring that we continue to benefit from our membership of the Union.

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