Though we are on the periphery of a greater continent, our own individual lives and histories are inextricably a part of wider European history. Our links define and shape us as people, as a society, as an economy, as a nation. And surely that is the point of next Friday's vote in the Lisbon treaty.

They may be interesting and diversionary, but the arguments about money, jobs, security, taxation and personal morality have nothing to do with this treaty. They are for the most part a parochial side show of manufactured irrelevancies.

But our insular navel-gazing over Lisbon is undermining, for want of another word, the "fundamental" that Brian Cowen spoke of when he launched the 'Yes' campaign.

Who do we think we are? Is that not what this treaty is all about? Are we part of a European project that, in its historic achievements, has united countries that 70 years ago sought to annihilate each other? Are we part of a project that, because of its commitment to co-operation and democracy, has been instrumental in dismantling divisions in Germany, pulled back the Iron Curtain and been a major force in the liberation and democratisation of countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania?

None of that would have been possible without the Treaty of Rome, the Single European Act, Maastricht, Nice and now Lisbon.

European co-operation has moved slowly, but the achievements are astounding and historic – including our own in the North which was helped in so many ways by a mutual commitment to Europe from us and Britain. The Treaty is about us, yes, but it is about us in Europe.

Do we really want to block a treaty that will allow, over time, for membership of countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia, countries that, until so recently, were embroiled in civil war and destruction?

The ECB-funded economic bailout being provided to us in order to fund Nama is a part of that spirit of co-operation that this treaty enshrines. The treaty explicitly argues that the union must help any individual member when it is in trouble.

This treaty does not seek to infringe on the autonomy of individual nations to legislate for their own people. But it does enhance a vision, one of peaceful co-habitation of this planet in which the health, wealth and wellbeing of people are paramount.

We can't have it both ways.

Friday is all about deciding, who do you think we are?