Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The clue about what is good about this partnership and co-operation agreement is in the name. It is about partnership and co-operation. There is co-operation on a number of different strands; including from political, economic, climate change, anti-terrorism and judicial points of view. There are many positives. It was never meant as a fait accompli or a final document. It specifically states that it is as stepping stone. It is a first step that allows for further engagement and influence thereafter. I am conscious of the clock and will summarise. I am very much in favour of this, recognising the imperfections of the situation out there. It is an initial step that allows for further dialogue and development. I have seen the progress Singapore has made in the past 50 years, from being a country that was very poor - which is the ultimate human rights violation - to being a country that is at peace and is prosperous, open-minded and open to influence from the European Union. I look forward to the concerns my colleagues have raised being addressed over time. I know it has taken a number of years to develop this PCA agreement but perhaps before the decade is out, a second agreement could be developed and negotiated which takes on board the concerns that have been rightly raised in this Chamber. I thank the Minister of State and my colleagues.

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