Seanad debates

Wednesday, 20 November 2002

European Communities (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.

 

Senator Burke is right in that there is a need for ongoing debate. Senator McDowell also touched on this in his contribution. Debate is essential on where we are going in Europe and the future of Europe. As I said earlier to the chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs, I am anxious that the debate be opened to the public so that it does not merely take place between Departments or Ministers. This is critically important. While we might differ on some of the issues, I agree with both Senators. It is not sufficient for us to dismiss some of the arguments that were made. Senator Burke mentioned people's fears about neutrality. It is not enough for us to say that has been addressed in the declaration or in the new constitutional amendment. We must understand what people are concerned about, listen to their fears and allay them. We must respect their views. One of the most important lessons of the last debate was that we must respect that there are different views on this issue. We will never reach absolute consensus on everything, although we are all aiming in the same direction.

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