Translation of "Orateur puissant " (French → English) :

– (ES) Mr President, my speech will entirely contradict what the last speaker said, and I shall begin by saying that neither the United Kingdom nor any other isolated country, however large or powerful it may be, is capable of tackling any of the global problems of today's world alone – and this is one of them – however much the honourable Member may believe that the United Kingdom can look after itself.

I understand that this is not about over-regulating, but providing a clear framework for dealing with claims and compensation, because passengers are generally ill-informed of their rights in relation to powerful and influential companies, and I support the many speakers who have expressed that point of view.

The powerful countries will continue to evade the law, and, even here, some speakers such as Mr Poettering have told us that it was wrong for the Romanians to have agreed to conclude bilateral agreements, but the US, which pushed them into this, would not entertain any criticism whatsoever.

Over those 50 years, we have come to appreciate this country for the majesty of its mountains and valleys, to which my province has contributed the Torngats and Gros Morne; for the powerful beauty of its rivers, to which my province has contributed the Churchill and the Exploits; for the rich heritage of its songs and musicians, to which my province has contributed " I'se the B'y" and " Great Big Sea" ; for the acumen of its entrepreneurs, to which my province has contributed Craig Dobbin and Harry Steele; and for the passion of its poets and its orators, to which my province has contributed E.J. Pratt and Joey Smallwood.