Mr. Jerzy Buzek:

It has achieved the guarantee according to the additional protocol in the Lisbon treaty that it is a matter of national competency. We should all remember such a solution. There is tremendous good will towards Ireland in the EU institutions and appreciation for the responsible steps it is taking to address its situation. I understand the situation from both sides.

There is big tension in Irish society. I represented trade unions in my country for more than ten years and was involved in national authorities of the trade unions. Later on I also represented the Government and I know very well what it means to be on both sides. I understand both sides. We had to go through very difficult reforms in my time in government. We had to close 22 coal mining in my constituency, making 100,000 people unemployed in one year. Thanks to that we survived with the rest of the coal mines, more than 30 of them, which are still working very efficiently. It is quite clear that without all those reforms, the coal mining industry in my country would have disappeared.

It is a very risky profession being a politician, as Senators know very well. Without risk, however, we cannot achieve anything more than going from one election to another and trying to survive. That is not the main goal for politicians. I can understand and feel what Irish politicians are doing with their reforms and how important they are for its citizens. They sometimes feel differently but the responsibility politicians have is great. I congratulate them.

The position of the Opposition is very helpful for the Government, as far as I know. Of course, there is never full support from the Opposition for the coalition; it is quite obvious. Otherwise, it would not be a democracy. We know very well that in the most important issues for our future there could be from time to time a very broad and wide coalition. Such coalitions are sometimes necessary, maybe once for ten years or two decades.

The last time there was such a coalition in Ireland there was an excellent pact of solidarity. I visited Ireland just after the Good Friday Agreement on the invitation of the Taoiseach. I visited the country because I wanted to know something about its solidarity pact. Trade unions engaged in freezing salaries for some time. It is fantastic because thanks to that, Ireland had at least one decade of prosperity.

Ireland is a very important country for the European Union. The last two Secretaries General of the European Commission, Mr. David O'Sullivan and Ms Catherine Day, were from Ireland. One of my predecessors is sitting here, Mr. Pat Cox, whom I thank for coming here. I am very glad. I am always proud to see him because he was an excellent President of the European Parliament.

We also know about the important portfolio of Ireland's Commissioner, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. We need to look ahead to create better high technology jobs so that the EU can play a leading role in the competitive global economy. Ireland is well placed to benefit from this new wave, and Ireland's Commissioner is excellently prepared to do such a job.

Let me conclude, although I have probably not kept to the allotted time. In the European Parliament, where I am responsible for debates, my colleagues are usually angry because I stop them after two minutes. I must think about that deeply, colleagues, so maybe I can adopt a softer approach in future.

The European Union will show solidarity and will help Ireland. The faster we can secure our future financial instruments, the faster we can make the investments that will stimulate the long-term recovery and prosperity of Ireland and Europe generally.

Go raibh maith agaibh.