Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. Senator Byrne made a valid point. This is democracy in operation. Many Senators questioned whether we are giving away Irish sovereignty. This is the elected Upper House of the Irish people. We are debating proposals that have been put forward by the European Union. These Houses decide whether or not to go with those proposals. The Government decides whether to put them to these Houses for a vote or not. That is democracy in action. It shows that we are exercising sovereignty over matters that emanate from Europe. We do not have to support these. It is in our interest to do so. The different constitutional Houses of Oireachtas could reject them.

I thank Senator Lynch. I agree with her comments about the threats we are facing. It is a dangerous world out there at present in terms of the increasing threats and different nature of the threats.

I listened carefully to Senator Keogan about the migration pact and how we are giving up sovereignty. We have seen an example of an EU country that decided to go it alone. The United Kingdom decided to go it alone.