Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I omitted to congratulate and compliment one of the most formidable people in Irish politics on being appointed Leader of the House, my very good friend, Senator O'Rourke. I also congratulate Senator Paddy Burke on being elevated to the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. They are a formidable team. This House will be well served by all its officers.

I came here with a script that I have scribbled all over. I will probably drive the officials, who spent a good deal of time last night preparing it, wild. I believe passionately in Europe. Europe for all its warts has given us something which nothing else could bestow. It has given the Continent, our fellow European citizens, peace, harmony, prosperity and democracy. I am amazed at the extraordinary lack of vision on the "No" side, but that is more than compensated for by the extraordinary vision we have seen in this House during the past two days. It is a tragedy for the nation that the entire proceedings of this House were not available on radio and television for all our citizens.

It has always been said that the contributions in the Seanad are at a different level from those in the Dáil. That was certainly true in this debate. I do not say that in a patronising way or in any way that would cause insult to my friends and colleagues in the other House. The range of the contributions of Members of this House over the past two days has been remarkable, something for which few people would give politicians credit. I was particularly taken by the fact that many Senators making their maiden contributions, which is difficult for any public representative, had such a breadth of vision.