Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Mr. Cox on an eloquent, informed and passionate speech. We have all heard the hot air and debate about the European Union and, as Senator Ulick Burke said, with all the directives being issued there is much confusion, particularly in rural communities. Several weeks ago an elderly lady who has always voted rang me to ask if she was on the electoral register. I told her I was sure she was and when I asked the reason she was unsure, she told me she had not yet received those elusive iodine tablets. She also asked if a pamphlet could be sent to her on the Nice treaty referendum. It is ironic that it is as a result of this great European experiment we have not had to use those iodine tablets. Without being alarmist, it is a convincing argument for the treaty and the reason I will vote in favour of it.

When foot and mouth disease was discovered on the Cooley Peninsula, the ban was not extended beyond that area. Was that because we had been such good Europeans? If the Nice treaty were rejected and we were not seen to be such good Europeans, if similar situations arose, would we still have the same influence on our European colleagues?