Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am in favour of the motion for a number of reasons. First, I have read it and have been through it forensically and can see, from the articles, there are human rights safeguards in there, which gives me a certain amount of reassurance. Second, I have sat through the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence hearing. I have listened very carefully to what the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, said and have listened carefully to the alternative views expressed, which I take on board. I will make one point on the alternative views, which I fully respect. I am old enough to remember what Ireland was like in the 1980s and 1990s. I am familiar with the extensive shortcomings and serious imperfections we had and am glad the European Union did not prevent us from joining the European Union on that basis. In fact, the European Union allowed us to join knowing fully that we had imperfections. It was the influence of the European Union that was a catalyst to promote our prosperity and social progress. I look forward to the same thing happening from a Singaporean point of view.

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