Seanad debates
Wednesday, 26 November 2003
Address by Mr. Joe McCartin, MEP.
Mr. McCartin struck a chord and was correct when he said Europe is the finest example of human co-operation. It was set up in order that there would never again be conflicts such as the First and Second World Wars. Channel Four has a very good Saturday evening programme on the First World War and the scale of the slaughter and bloodshed during that and the Second World War when the armies were far more technically advanced. The European Union was founded on idealism, hope and aspiration, threads which have kept the countries of Europe together. Now, with the growth of the Union, where will it end? Mr. McCartin will deal with that in his reply to Senator Maurice Hayes's question on the same point. How can we manage a larger Union? We long for the new members to join, having supported enlargement because we were the beneficiaries for so long and wanted to give other countries, particularly those which had come out of serfdom and communist control, the chance we had and to see them glow brightly. Many are descended from ancient civilisations and would have had culture and education long before other countries. We welcome them and look forward to the opportunity to meet them during our Presidency. How will the Union manage itself in a larger environment?
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