Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate Senator Chambers giving me a little of her time in order that I can express on the record today my ongoing support for the European Union. Like the Minister of State and Senator Chambers, all of us, including those who have reservations about Europe, have to acknowledge that the development that has happened in this country over those years has been significant. I wonder if we were not in the European Union where we would be in terms of emigration, unemployment and our economy.

Back then, and since then, many of the people who were opposed to the European Union spoke about military alliance. The reality is 50 years on, Ireland is still neutral. I would not like to see Ireland join NATO but nobody in Europe has tried to force us into it. It is important to make that point because it has been falsely used over the years to frighten people off the European project. A great deal of money has been invested here in education, our towns and villages and agriculture. There have been problems along the route from time to time, but realistically our economy has benefited largely.

The European Union has opened up huge opportunities in regard to our exports. That is evidenced in the level of exports from this country. Irish people are brilliant when they get an opening. They will continue to grow that export market. I believe Europe has been the real reason we have had this progress. As stated by Senator Chambers, the Irish people are in favour of Europe. We all have reservations from time to time, but it has been a good project.