Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

——about what was proposed in the Lisbon treaty. I was equally affronted by the espousal of Alive! by many of the clergy from the altars of their churches. Surely, they above all, should know what Europe gave Ireland and what we gave Europe. If one goes to cities such as Salzburg, Paris or Bruges, one sees streets and churches named after Irish saints. They went there to spread the message and in return those cities provided a haven for young students who, during the penal times in this country, could not practise or promulgate their religion.

This may appear as if from the mists of time but it is not. I strongly rebut the articles published in Alive! at the time of the Lisbon treaty referendum and I am glad of the opportunity to speak. The Acting Chairman may say that I have strayed from the point. I have not. This is a European debate and I commend the Chairman of our committee, Deputy Bernard Durkan, who has given great commitment to the European cause.

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