Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their very kind remarks. At one of the interminable meetings that one has with ambassadors, one ambassador said that he could not understand why there were concerns in Ireland about the Treaty of Nice. He felt that it was a triumph for Irish diplomatic negotiators. He pointed out that we had led the way in holding on to a Commissioner for the small countries and that our negotiators had been forthright, resilient and steadfast on the issue of taxation.

The time for kicking one another in the shins has passed. We have a crusade now and a responsibility to carry the message to the people and to make up for what we failed to do last year. Remember, the failure last year was not one of the people, it was a failure of those of us who passionately believe in Europe to bring the message clearly to them. If we bring the message clearly and vigorously to the people they will always make the right decision. Whatever decision the people make, we will accept it as democrats.

Cuireadh agus aontaíodh an cheist.

Question put and agreed to.