Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election. His friends and neighbours in Limerick, Tipperary, Munster and the nation are proud of him. I also congratulate the Leader of the House who brings great distinction and political experience to our deliberations.

I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, on the exceptional vigour and intelligence with which he has prosecuted the campaign for a "Yes" vote. This referendum is about much more than the Nice treaty. It is about Ireland's continued full participation in the European Union. It is also about whether we should make a decisive shift away from our policy of the last 40 years, under all Governments, and repudiate our support for European integration, at least as far as the future is concerned.

EU membership has been the making of Ireland. It has enabled us to make a resounding success of our independence and to realise the potential of which earlier generations of patriots could only dream. Ireland today is respected around the world by countries large and small for its peace process, its spectacular economic progress of recent years, its positive international engagement, its cultural achievements and its values. We have nearly full employment for the first time in our history and net emigration has been reversed. Our living standards have caught up with the European average, having been about 60% at our accession. In place of almost abject dependence on the British market our exports have diversified, with a little more than 22% of exports going to Britain instead of over 90% some 50 years ago.