Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I know we must sound like a chorus, but it is heartfelt. I join by thanking Mr. Cox for coming to the House and agreeing so readily to the visit. It was amazing that when I asked him to come, he simply said, "Yes". Another matter altogether was going through all the protocol, but the main thing was to have achieved his assent. This has been a remarkable debate in the range of views raised and the frank and open way in which they have been addressed by Mr. Cox.

The article in The Irish Times this morning was put in anonymously by the "No" voters. In the last week or so they have adopted the mantra, "We are for enlargement". Last night I was on a radio debate with Anthony Coughlan and more than 20 times he said the "No" voters were for enlargement. It is a sort of comfort zone they have erected around themselves. Perhaps by saying the Dáil can put in a statement saying we are for enlargement is a way of getting around the problem.

I share Senator O'Meara's view on the social charter. This morning we had a small conference in Buswells, and I note Mr. Cox said it is not all about conferences in the hotel, debating the social issues and what they have meant to men and women. The texture of life, for women's lives particularly, has changed for the good. We have equal pay, equality measures, parental directives, pregnant workers directives and all have translated into law here. We would have been waiting a while for any Irish Parliament, mostly dominated by men, to take the initiative on such issues. This is not cant but the truth. I am glad of Europe for that.