We must remember the tens of thousands of ordinary PAYE workers who depend, directly or indirectly, on US companies in Ireland or on free and unfettered access to American markets for their livelihoods. We must remember the millions who, since the Great Famine, found refuge, opportunity and a home in America. We should recognise that both France and Germany, despite principled opposition to the war, have moved to protect their perceived self-interests. We dare not allow ourselves to be dragged by the misguided and the mischievous into taking a hostile act against our greatest ever friend, the US. We dare not allow Ireland to become reviled by the ordinary American in the street, as France has become. We must face our responsibility to our people and pursue our national self-interest, not for selfish reasons but for economic survival.