Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

What I am saying is, and I said this before the intervention of Deputy Ó Caoláin in my primary remarks in response to the many questions he asked, I do not believe everything is right about the European Union, but I do believe that on any objective analysis of the pros and cons of membership, we would need a very heavy weight on that side of the scales to get within even reaching distance of the benefits European Union membership brings for this country. This is on the basis of empirical objective evidence, the possibilities for the future and how we will cope with the problems we face currently, let alone the future.

We could not survive this crisis without our membership of the eurozone and the availability of resources from the European Central Bank. That has been a fact over the past 12 months. It is an unassailable fact of life. Does this mean in some way we have lost our sense of dignity or are beholden to anybody? Not at all. It means we are part of something bigger than ourselves. It means that membership brings disciplines, impositions and obligations, as well as benefits. Those disciplines and benefits have been for the betterment of this country and have brought us to where we are, with all our mistakes, failures and successes, with all the ups and downs of political life, successful or otherwise.

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