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

Ireland has a role to play in making the E.U. united and strong.

Indeed, American companies make three times as much profits from their investment in one E.U. country, Ireland, than they do from all their investments in China.

Proliferation of nuclear weapons to terrorist organisations is far more dangerous than proliferation of nuclear weapons to states, even states like North Korea.

The EU and the U.S. often work together to develop international standards. This is the case in fighting terrorism and transnational crime, advancing trade liberalization, and combating piracy and intellectual property violations.

When the E.U. and the U.S. agree, other countries follow.

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