Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union. It is a very important debate at a critical moment of Ireland's engagement with the European Union. I am somewhat disappointed with some of the contributions so far. I was particularly facilitative in helping to establish the sub-committee in the summer when I spoke to members of the Opposition parties. I worked particularly hard to facilitate the inclusion of Sinn Féin which made great strides to have a member on the sub-committee. We were anxious to make it inclusive and included independent Members of the Seanad. It is a pity that is not even acknowledged. Sinn Féin states other parties abused the Oireachtas. People are entitled to their positions, perspectives and opinions, but using that kind of language is inappropriate and wrong.

To suggest, as Deputy Kenny did, that we were forced to have this plenary debate, is wrong.

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