Seanad debates

Tuesday, 10 June 2003

Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements.

 

This brings me to another point which echoes the point made by Senator McDowell regarding how this message is conveyed to the Irish people and more generally. Perhaps there is a temptation to present these things as being merely minimalist, saying that we should not worry too much because it will not be that different from before. What is in train is something much grander. It reminds me a bit of the mistake the Unionist leadership made in relation to the Good Friday Agreement. This was a considerable achievement but, by and large, they went round apologising for it, saying not to worry because it could have been worse. If we approach the matter in this way, the Irish people might find it more difficult to embrace it. The end point of all this should be our consideration of how it will be presented to the Irish people. It should be presented in a way which engages their interest and enthusiasm, so that they see it as a noble adventure, one which is in the interest of the country and Europe as a whole and in which they would want to be engaged.

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