Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I would like to make a special appeal to those people coming to Dublin for the protests this weekend to ensure the protests are peaceful and that the security response does not provoke them. This is an important time for Europe and, on the point raised by Senator Mansergh yesterday, we should celebrate the fact that the accession of the new countries into the European Union is a great act of reconciliation in Europe. This will be good for Ireland because it will lead to the addition of many new small countries within the European Union. As we know from our constant discussions in the European Union, it is very important to have small countries backing other small countries and there is much to celebrate. I appeal to people coming to Dublin to protest to ensure their protest is peaceful and dignified and, most important, that an over the top security response is avoided.

Most Members would want to convey our sympathies to the O'Brien family following the death of Fr. Niall O'Brien. He was associated with the Philippines for many years.