Irish people will have to change their attitudes to the EU, the Labour leader told the Dail.
Mr Ruairi Quinn said Ireland could choose, if it wished, to amble along, accepting slowly the general direction Europe was being driven in by others, or it could opt to mobilise its energies at exercising its influence and values.
"My own view, and that of my party, is that we have abrogated so much sovereignty to Europe it is incumbent on us to do our utmost to influence the direction of the European Union, not just in our short-term national interest but in the broader interest of Europe, its citizens and humanity in general."
Mr Quinn, speaking during a series of statements on the EU Helsinki summit, said that over a year ago, he had put the case that it was imperative that strong diplomatic ties be made with aspiring members.
"Without blowing our own trumpet unduly, we have an expertise in working the institutions of the union that would certainly be of interest to these states."
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said he believed the Government was wrong at Helsinki to press, successfully it seemed, for a limited Inter-Governmental Conference. "The IGC should have been extended to include how a greater defence of ongoing democratic legitimacy could be given to the European project. It should also have been extended to a strengthening of the European Commission's role in regard to international trade in services."
Mr Bruton recalled that the then Taoiseach, Sean Lemass, had said in 1962 that Ireland was prepared to go into an integrated Europe without any reservations as to how far the State would be taken in the field of foreign policy and defence. "I think the present leadership of Fianna Fail does not speak as openly or frankly about defence as Sean Lemass did."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he was very pleased that the European Council took a significant further step towards the enlargement of the union. "It was crucial to reinforce the momentum towards enlargement."
