I have spoken in another place about the importance of Europe in terms of the resolution of the Northern Ireland problem. I do not believe that Ireland, because of the very chaotic and at times belligerent relationship it has had with Britain since the foundation of the State, could have possibly negotiated the Good Friday Agreement were we not members of the European Union. That agreement has been a success and many benefits have flowed from it. Our relationship with Britain changed fundamentally in 1973 when we became partners in the Union, a fact that is frequently forgotten. The success and genius of the Good Friday Agreement has its roots in Ireland joining the European community in 1973 and the beginning of a new relationship with Britain. It allowed us to move beyond the sometimes sterile relationship that existed from 1921 until the 1960s.