That's where my job comes in. Getting the E.U. and U.S. to agree.

States can be deterred by the fear of retaliation; non-state organisations cannot by deterred at all.

Since creation of the E.U. a half century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history.

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

One cannot have economic growth without security.

Of course the EU and member states must work to ensure that people moving from one country to another understand their obligations and their rights in areas like health, road safety and further education.

It is not viable for one country to demand a right to increase and upgrade its nuclear weapons capabilities while asking others to eliminate theirs.

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

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.

U.S. companies earn more from their investments in the EU than in the rest of the world combined.

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.

Non-proliferation will only work if all states are willing to cooperate, and that will only happen if all feel they are being treated fairly.

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

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. is the world's fastest growing democratic body.