We in Ireland have not been immune from the bigotry and the indifference which manifested itself in Europe this century.

David Cameron says he wants to keep Britain in the EU, but his tactics are so divisive that, if he gets what he wants it will be at the price of huge ill-will in Europe; or if he doesn’t, it will be at the price of increased anti-EU sentiment in his own party and in British society.

The time horizon may be too long for sole reliance on market solutions – but perhaps the inventiveness of the financial services industry will prove me wrong that point!

The European Union is the world’s most successful invention for advancing peace.

The European Union is the world's most successful invention for advancing peace.

The E.U. is more than just a trade organization or a common market; it is a guarantee of democracy, freedom, justice, and human rights. Nations cannot stay in the E.U. if they do not respect these guarantees.

The E.U. imports more agricultural goods from developing countries around the world than does the U.S., Canada and Japan, combined.

If the EU and the US can cooperate successfully on regulating financial markets, everyone else will follow.

The E.U. has moved to combat global terrorism by instituting common European arrest and evidence warrants and creating a joint situation center to pool and analyze intelligence.

The E.U. is the world's fastest growing democratic body.