Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

We have moved on and what I am trying to suggest is that we are at a crossroads. We have assumed new responsibilities and will be a net contributor to the EU within a few years. We have assumed a leadership role. I am pleased the Minister of State has taken the initiative to set up alliances with the smaller states. This is an area on which he might expand because these are the countries with which we have the greatest common interests. As the Leader will know, having been present at meetings of Councils of Ministers, alliances are very much the order of the day in the relationship between member states.