Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

My colleagues and I welcome Mr. McCartin back to the House. He has been an MEP of extraordinary energy and as a constituent of his in Connacht-Ulster, I express on my own behalf and that of his constituents great thanks to him for the enthusiasm with which he always upheld the European concept. Throughout the years when we rarely glimpsed an MEP, one could be assured that Mr. McCartin would turn up at various meetings whether political or public and would defend to the limit the concept of Europe. Although there may be downsides to defending it and although many changes brought about by EU directives and regulations, or by decisions taken in Europe, may not initially have been acceptable in this State, he nevertheless felt compelled to defend Europe and did so with great determination and honesty, which we welcomed at all times.

Mr. McCartin was one of the few people who some years ago took on board and piloted the concept of Objective One status for the BMW region. He lobbied extensively in his own constituency and at national level as well as in Europe. The outcome was of tremendous benefit to all concerned, including Governments over the years, in improving the lot of the western areas. We can see that continuing in the years ahead.