Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I share the sentiment of other Members that without reservation I accept the will of the people. The Lisbon treaty, as put to the people, has been decided upon and is over. We have a set of consequences which require reflection and an approach which should be original in moving Europe on. The approach must contain the fundamental component of examining Europe's role in the world. The debate must centre on Ireland's role in Europe and Europe's role in the world. This is a time of unipolar power in a world changed by events such as those on 11 September 2001.

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