Ireland must forge common policies with other like-minded states in order to establish the conditions for stability and prosperity envisaged by those who fought for Irish freedom, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today.
Speaking at the annual General Liam Lynch Commemoration at Kilcrumper Cemetery near Fermoy, Mr Cowen said it would be wrong for anyone to claim that Lynch and his comrades would have sought to deny Ireland the chance to evolve and change.
"Liam Lynch fought not for an abstract freedom, he fought for the freedom of the Irish people to chart their own destiny. He had enormous confidence in the potential of an independent Ireland to deliver progress for all its citizens," said Mr Cowen.
Pointing out the great benefits that have accrued to Ireland since joining the European Economic Community, Mr Cowen said true republicans understand the importance of engaging with Europe as a step along "this new pathway to progress and prosperity."
Addressing the issue of Irish sovereignty raised by opponents of the Lisbon Treaty, Mr Cowen said that "going solo in this 21st century world of interdependence" was not an option and sharing sovereignty in some areas had helped combat high unemployment and forced emigration.
Closer co-operation with like minded countries was essential to develop trade links and create jobs, protect the environment and tackle climate change and secure energy supplies in the years ahead, he said.
