Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The timing of this legislation is cruel in some respects given that it deals with Croatia after our loss to them on Sunday. Notwithstanding that, it is positive that the process has reached its final stages and we are now in a position to welcome Croatia into the family of European states. Perhaps we can look to Spain to bail us out on the football field before the end of the week.

The forthcoming accession of Croatia, which is scheduled for 1 July 2013, is the culmination of a long process of European integration for that country but it also marks a seminal moment for the long embattled Balkans. Looking at the volatility in the region and the current problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the EU must play a positive part in that area. The EU should act as a role model and, ultimately, a goal for these countries. A cursory glance at history shows the importance of the region globally. The shots in Sarajevo sparked the start of the First World War and reshaped the whole world. The scars of the civil wars of the 90s that accompanied the collapse of Yugoslavia carry a strong moral imperative to show leadership in the area and avoid the horrifying violence of Srebrenica that, 50 years after the Second World War, shows the great threat of violence has not left the Continent. The EU has a moral, political and strategic onus to take up the burden of leadership in the region. I hope the current travails of the Union do not distract from that work or discourage the countries that aspire to the values of the Union and are working towards EU membership. Croatia should act as an incentive to, and a flagship of, EU membership in the region.

In these difficult days for the EU, when the thread of solidarity for the Union wears thin for many member states, it is reinvigorating to be reminded of what sustains the Union. The reasons Croatia underwent the arduous task of adhering to the ever more complex acquis of the EU were manifold. It allows Croatia to access the open markets of the world's largest economic area of over 500 million people and it enables the free movement of capital across the Continent. It allows her people to travel unhindered across 27 other member states, to open up EU universities to Croat students, and to affirm the democratic principles and respect for human rights and dignity that underpins the philosophy of the Union.

In going through the economic crisis that has bedevilled the Union and, more particularly, the euro area over the past three years, much has been lost of the vision of the founding fathers of the European project. It has become a narrow focus on economics, fiscal difficulties and banking issues, but we should not lose sight of the fact that the euro project was carved from a desire to see peace across the Continent and how we could develop and build on it. We should not be blinded by the crisis, which will be a small footnote in the history of Europe.

In moments of doubt about the future of the Union it is worth reminding ourselves of the progress the Union has spurred on, facilitated and encouraged across the Continent, in Ireland and now hopefully in Croatia. Croatia emphatically voted in favour of accession to the EU in January, a sign of enthusiasm for the EU that should stir us on towards tackling the problems of the Union. A country that first emerged as a war-torn land riven by sectarian violence has moved on from its bloody past to embrace a brighter future founded on the pan-European values of democracy, competition and the rule of law. This should serve to remind us all of the potential of the EU and serve as a beacon of hope for the region. Issues about accession remain, namely, whether Croatian nationals should have immediate access to our labour markets. Outstanding issues in Croatia remain to be resolved. However, those important issues aside, we can welcome Croatia into the fold of the EU as an equal partner in the future of Europe.

I understand the second amendment to the Bill, which the Government will move on Committee Stage, will provide for the protocol on the concerns of the Irish people on the Lisbon treaty, which was signed in Brussels on 16 May to form part of the domestic law of the State. The signing of the protocol addresses the concerns of the Irish people on the Lisbon treaty with regard to the right to life, family and education, taxation, and security and defence. The European Council stated the sole purpose of the protocol is to give full treaty status to the clarifications set out in the decision.

I understand the protocol will clarify but not change the content or the application of the Lisbon treaty. This a welcome measure to finalise the Lisbon treaty and copperfasten the assurances the Government received on areas of particular sensitivity to the Irish people. I welcome the amendments to the Bill as progressive steps for Ireland and the Union.

See this speech in context