Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Standing up to speak after Senator Ormonde on a topic such as this I am reminded of the advice never to go on a stage with children and animals because they will upstage you. When I hear the Senator's bubble of energy and enthusiasm I feel I should not attempt to speak after her but I have the same bubble of energy about this topic.

I know this must be an important day for the Minister of State because he has invested so much effort and work. It was a delight to listen to his contribution when he spoke about the exciting and positive development since the formation of the EEC in 1957. This has been the best ever prepared enlargement and I know that work did not take place by accident. The accession countries regard membership of the European Union as the best prospect of a peaceful and prosperous future.