John Gilroy (Labour)

I acknowledge Senator Cullinane's comments. While we differ in our analysis of and approach to the situation, his party is acting in what it believes are the country's best interests. He will concede that the Government is doing likewise. We might differ on how to work it out, but we are on the same side and want to do the best for Ireland.

There has been criticism of this deal. It might not be ideal, but it contributes to an overall settlement. It is not the finished product, only a step in the right direction. Negotiations must occur in the context of the total problem facing us. There is no question of it being Labour's way or Frankfurt's way and no giant leap will finish the job in one step. A multitude of small steps will be required.

I will draw a genuine analogy between negotiating a solution for Ireland's problems in Europe and Sinn Féin's work in Northern Ireland. From 1969 until 1994, that party pursued a particular strategy towards achieving its aims. That strategy did not work and was changed to one of negotiating in 1994. We do not yet have a united Ireland, which is Sinn Féin's ultimate aim, but since 1969 we have gone a long way towards achieving it. Incremental negotiation will change the European picture, although I hope it will not take 45 years. Senator Cullinane takes my point that there will be no bombshell cure in the morning because the EU, Ireland, a Minister or a Senator did something or other. Change does not work that way and we must appreciate that it will be incremental and slow. Everyone realises that calling for a major resolution overnight is not realistic. Section 2 proposes to give power to the Minister to do exactly what I have outlined, which cannot be very contentious. There may be more contentious sections further down the line but if we oppose this section and throw it out, we may as well throw out the entire Bill. We should not get ahead of ourselves.