Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This debate is an example of what we could do with an active Seanad given the responsibility of scrutinising legislation. However, such debates should take place prior to Ministers heading off to negotiate. It would be much more valuable if we could scrutinise measures before negotiations take place rather than afterwards.

Senator Burke referred earlier to the benefits of Europe. Some 95 years ago people were in the trenches and 70 years ago there was another war. However, for almost 66 years there has not been a war. We may perhaps not recognise the benefits in this regard. Senator Burke also spoke of our ability to travel across Europe. If we were part of Schengen, which I hope we will work towards, we would have that ability. When I finished university in the 1950s, I went to the Continent. I discovered then, for the first time, that one could travel. I also discovered a different Europe. Even in those days, one needed a passport to travel from one place to another. One can now go to the Russian border without one.

Senators referred to Croatia joining the European Union and to Serbia and other countries being on the list of countries wishing to join. There is much for which to be thankful. The summit appears to be much more of a patch over Europe's troubles which will support its banks for a while but may not be enough to save the euro. As many experts see it, unless there is a much more comprehensive deal in the near future — perhaps the end of January or February is too far away — it will be difficult to survive the next year in one piece. A huge difficulty has arisen from our failure to achieve overall agreement. Senator Bacik referred to the article in The Financial Times in relation to the chaos that will occur if there is a break-up of the eurozone. Everyone should concentrate on this point and while I am delighted the Minister of State is in her position there is much to do in the next little while to ensure we survive this.