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Madam, – Ireland is at a crucial moment in its history. Faced with serious challenges, the choices it makes now – as a country and society – will chart its course for many years to come. Notwithstanding the current difficulties within the Irish economy and the pressure these difficulties place on Irish people, in deciding how it responds to these challenges, Ireland must also stay true to its core values – those which define it as a nation within the international community – values such as solidarity, co-operation and integrity.