The vote to accept the Nice Treaty was a date with history of which we can be proud, writes Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
Over the last month we have seen the most extensive referendum campaign in over 30 years. The public had the opportunity to participate in a national debate about our future.
As I said last Thursday, this was not just a vote on a technical treaty, it was a vote on the sort of country we see ourselves as being and the role we see ourselves playing within Europe and the world. It really was a date with history - and one of which we can be proud.
I believe that the people have voted for a vision of a confident Ireland, which seeks to play its part in the building of a lasting peace and prosperity between nations. It is a vote for an Ireland which doesn't seek to hide defensively behind an inflexible and unchanging view of how issues should be dealt with.
We will now proceed to join the other 14 members of the Union in ratifying the Treaty of Nice. The most significant result of this is that we can move quickly towards welcoming 10 new nations, with over 75 million citizens, as part of the great European project.
Last week, we heard from Czech President Vaclav Haval about the huge importance that our vote had for the people of his country and those others who have so recently escaped Soviet domination. He stressed how they see Ireland as a model and an ally. In return, the people of Ireland have extended a hand of welcome.
Enlargement can now proceed as planned and these countries will have the opportunity to grow that Ireland used so effectively. I want Ireland to work closely with them, not just in official meetings, but to develop new cultural and economic ties. Experience shows these are of benefit to all.
Out of last year's result have come a number of very positive developments. Everyone now knows we have to work hard to make sure that we communicate the work of the EU all the time, not just when there is a major referendum. Radical changes to the scrutiny of EU legislation will, I believe, make sure that our participation in the development of this legislation is more effective and that there will be a much greater sense of ownership of the end result.
The Forum for Europe will continue its very effective work in providing an opportunity for all elements of Irish society to have their say on the future of Europe.
It is also the case that we will now have in place the strongest ever protection for our neutrality. Our partners in Europe have declared how they respect our tradition on this topic and the Constitution will now have a provision reserving to the people any decision on involvement in common defence arrangements.
Another positive development has been the involvement of non-political groups in the Yes campaign. It is all too often the case that people in Ireland believe that public policy debate can be left to parties or activist groups. The broad range of groups and individuals who came together to play their part helped the debate and ensured that the public understood that this was a decision which went well beyond politics as usual.
Patrick Hillery, John Hume, Garret FitzGerald and many others played a vital role in carrying the pro-Nice message to the people.
I would also like to pay tribute to the thousands of members of my party who went out and ran the biggest referendum campaign in over 30 years. It was a positive campaign which stressed the benefits of the proposal before the people.
I believe that the European Union has been one of the fundamental elements in the many positive developments we have seen over the last 30 years. In many ways, by being Europeans we found the opportunity to end the era of mass unemployment and emigration and to be Irish in Ireland.
Within a broader context we found strength and confidence. There is always the risk that confidence can turn to complacency.
I believe that this result shows that we still recognise the importance of being open and outward looking. People took the time to see beyond the atmosphere of charge and counter-charge and focus on the things that really matter.
There will continue to be growth and development in the European Union, as it again builds on its unsurpassed record of helping nations to grow together. I believe we need to work hard against the idea that Europe is Them, when in fact Europe is Us.
As Ireland and Europe move forward with the strong endorsement of the Irish people for enlargement, I hope that we can use this experience to ensure that we play a constructive, informed and confident part in the growth of the European Union.