Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

As we look towards the completion of the fifth enlargement of the European Union, I reiterate my pleasure at the strong support of this House for the European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2006. On behalf of the Government, I sincerely thank the Senators and political parties for their valuable and positive contributions. This is a short and critically important Bill which is a major instrument in enabling Ireland to ratify the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union. There was a very good debate on the Bill in both Houses, which was important. I thank my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, for dealing with the Bill in my absence yesterday.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of deputising for the Taoiseach at the European Council where a solid, consensual approach was taken by all the Heads of State to welcoming Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union. They expressed the hope that both countries would be able to meet the 1 January 2007 deadline. I echo what Senators Bradford and Lydon said in that we all wish both countries well and hope they meet all the necessary criteria to enable their accession on 1 January next.

We have looked forward to the passage of this legislation and to Ireland's ratification of the accession treaty in 2006. I also look forward to welcoming Bulgaria and Romania as full partners in the European Union. Their presence among us will be to our mutual benefit in the future. It is critically important that we are able to continue with the European project and that we give equal opportunity to other countries in the greater European landmass and those adjoining it in the old European continent to be able to join us in the great democratic opportunity the European Union has created for all of us over the years. We have benefited immeasurably from it and we always have a strong desire to ensure we can confer similar benefits on those who want to join us in the European Union.

I wish Bulgaria and Romania every success and look forward to working with them as full partners and as equals in the European Union in the exciting years ahead for all of us. I thank the House.