John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish Croatia, the 28th member of the European Union, every possible success. I have no doubt accession to the Union will present significant opportunities for the country. The terms of Croatia's accession were agreed during the Irish Presidency in 2004 and the country will accede to the European Union on the day after our 2013 Presidency, which has received great acclamation, concludes. We have gone to the wire with this legislation, which is a great achievement. I am delighted the Bill has been passed speedily. I thank all the Deputies concerned and the civil servants who did substantial work on the Bill.

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