Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

However, the world has moved on into the arena of globalisation. We have built our economy on various intellectual competencies and services which are sought after throughout the world. It is extraordinary that Ireland has become the world's largest exporter of computer software. This small island nation on the west coast of Europe has achieved that pre-eminence through foreign direct investment. We must not allow that to be put at risk in any way. We must pool our resources and engage constructively with both the proponents and opponents of the treaty to ensure what emerges from this process is something which everybody can support.

I do not wish to leave uncontested the comments made by a particular Senator to the effect that the former Taoiseach, Mr. Eamon de Valera, in some way sold out on the Six Counties. Anybody remotely interested in or aware of our history would know that Mr. de Valera took the absolutely opposite position in the Civil War that followed independence. Through his leadership of the diplomatic process in the 1930s, he recovered the ports from the British and resolved the land annuities issue. Shortly after coming into office, he abolished the oath of allegiance. It is an absolute rewriting of history to contend the contrary. The enormous progress we have made since independence has been contributed to substantially by our constructive engagement with the European Union. By continuing that engagement, the prospects for future generations of Irish people will be enhanced.