Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and his officials, and I support this Bill. I pay a warm tribute to the work done by the Minister of State and his officials from the Taoiseach's office, the Department of Foreign Affairs and many other Departments, as well as the permanent representation in Brussels. They make a great contribution in keeping Ireland's end high in the European Union. We should also mention senior Irish officials who work in the European Commission. In recent times, Irish officials have occupied very senior posts, which is a great credit to them and the country.

I am glad the Minister of State placed an emphasis in his speech on the benefits to Ireland of European Union membership. At times, people take it for granted. When we have a dispute or a difficulty, particular groups think we can kick over the traces. The European Union has been the making of Ireland in every sense, be it political, economic or anything else. In the 1840s, Thomas Davis said that Ireland was needful of foreign alliances. By that he meant countries such as France and Germany, although the latter was not united at that stage. We now have such a situation and the European Union transcends the differences and conflicts of the past. We can be friends with Britain as we can with France, Germany and Spain, whereas in the past it was strictly an either-or situation.

When we joined the European Economic Community, our living standards were approximately 63% of the Community average. Our early years of membership were chequered. We did very well for a while on the agricultural front, but then there was some shake-out with regard to industrial employment. However, in combination with the right domestic policies we have had over the last 20 years, Ireland has flourished as never before in its history. As was pointed out yesterday, not least by myself on the Order of Business, the 1987 Budget Statement by the former Minster for Finance, Mr. Ray MacSharry, played on RTE radio yesterday, who also had a distinguished European career, was in many ways the start of this transformation. I say this not to give all the credit to him, because his successors, continuing on the same path, have contributed to the result as well.

There is a constant challenge to uphold our position and our interests, which in some way is perhaps more difficult now that there are 25 member states in the EU, and in another month's time, 27. It is necessary for us to move ahead and I hope the political conditions will be right within the next 12 months or so with regard to the constitutional treaty. I do not accept that because it was rejected in particular circumstances, two or three years ago, by a couple of member states, the question cannot be revisited. We have revisited such questions in the past.

In a sense democracy is about looking at questions. If the notion that a referendum is the final answer were true, we should never have had divorce in this country, given the outcome of the 1986 referendum in that regard. Given that some 18 member states have not ratified the notion of a constitution, we need, for the sake of coherence and cohesion, to resolve this question. I accept that not too much damage seems to have been done in the short-term and the Union has done reasonably well. However, the status quo is not a long-term solution and we should be adding our voice to the need for a completion of ratification.

The Minister of State referred in his speech to the convenience of the euro. It still gives me pleasure to be able to travel all over Europe without having to change currency except, unfortunately, when we go North or visit our nearest neighbour. On the Order of Business the deputy Chief Whip, I believe, spoke about the euro not being acceptable in a large number of outlets across the water.