Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I too greatly appreciated and enjoyed Mr. McCartin's contribution. Having watched and taken an interest in the affairs of the European Parliament for over 20 years, I admire Mr. McCartin's independent mind, within the framework of his party. Regardless of whether one agrees with him, no one could doubt his political courage. We are not elected to this or any other House or parliament to be political clones. Each of us has a contribution to make and Mr. McCartin has made a very clear contribution.

My view of the nation state is somewhat more benign than his view. The independence of this country is, in a sense, based on the concept of the nation state, but that was a reaction to empires and the European Union is a sort of synthesis of the better elements of both.