Seanad debates
Thursday, 13 November 2003
Address by Ms Mary Banotti, MEP.
Things began to change, however, when our economy made such a spectacular turnaround. At that point, people were pleased for us in the same way as a mother is pleased for a child who has just attained good results in school exams. At the same time, we could no longer play the role of being a poor, small island which could ask for money and keep quiet. We had to recognise that we had moved into a different league. Colleagues from other countries, particularly applicant countries, are interested in talking to us about how we did it. Senators will notice that a huge number of Irish consultants work in many of these countries, advising them on how we did it and how they can do it. We have had to grow up and, in that context, things have changed slightly. However, it is not unpleasant.
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