Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

On all sides. Members have been acting like children; nobody wants to sit down, discuss it properly and listen to the other side. The Minister turned his face away when he was being informed by Deputy Rabbitte of what people are saying about non-nationals. He did not believe Deputy Rabbitte.

Perhaps people do not tell Ministers, out of respect for their office, how they feel about non-nationals. Having listened to the debate today, I believe the Government is failing to see the real picture. It does not understand the public mood. That is not to say it is out of touch but I suspect people might not be telling members of the Government what they think. A person might think: "I dare not talk to the Minister, Deputy McDowell, about racism and non-nationals because he will bury me in an argument." It would be easier to talk to me about it because I am not as great an expert. However, I can see and feel the mood. I am extremely concerned. We have a problem in this country and pushing through this amendment and debating it in an arrogant manner will not help. It will give those who wish to fuel racism a chance to do so. They will be talking in the bars and restaurants and spreading the word. We do not wish to cause this but it will happen as a by-product of our discussions this week and the referendum.

There is a reason our party does not want this referendum to be held at the same time as the June election. There is a tendency among candidates and other people to talk about what non-nationals are getting or taking from this country. It is a disgrace but it is happening and candidates will tap into that. They will not put it in print or in their literature. However, they will be on the doorsteps sympathising with people whose son or daughter is waiting for a house for four years. "The other crowd got one", they will say, "but I will not let that happen". That is what will take place and that is the reason we oppose the referendum. This stems from the lack of a proper debate, no information and rushing this measure through the Houses. No wonder people are distrustful.

We have a duty as public representatives to work on this issue together and to find a suitable solution. A number of people have regretted that there is not cross-party support. It certainly is a pity. This is a serious issue, at least as serious as the electronic voting issue, in terms of its importance for our future. Again, legislation on matters that are essential for the future are being shoved through without cross-party support. This debate and the lack of cross-party support could mean that the referendum could fail. We are willing to accept that there might be a problem but that has not been proven. If it proves to be a problem, we are willing to solve it by a referendum or whatever other measure is necessary.

When correct information is not provided, there is an opportunity to circulate misinformation. There is a strong possibility that this referendum could fail, which would mean the issue being sidelined again. This Minister for lunacy, if I can call him that, who thought this measure should be brought forward, might fail purely because he would not work with the other parties. The huge problem he wanted to solve, therefore, will remain for another generation until somebody else attempts to solve it. It is a pity that by pushing this measure through, we will probably get nowhere with it.

If it fails, will there be a rerun a few months later, as happened with the Nice treaty referendum? The Government has not learned from that referendum. The Nice treaty referendum was pushed through the first time without any proper discussion. No information was given. Everybody assumed the referendum would be passed. However, it failed and that could happen again in this referendum.

The Minister said the Government's position is strong in logic and in facts. It might be strong in logic but not in facts. It is a pity we have not been given the facts. All Members said today that they hoped there would be a balanced debate but that cannot happen because we do not have the information the Minister has. How can there be a balanced debate? I would have expected to see fair play in the Houses of the Oireachtas, where everybody could be heard and where there would be proper discussions. I did not expect people to snub each other. I agree with Deputy O'Connor that it happened on all sides of the House. What happened in the House today is disgusting; I could not believe it. I could not even hear the Minister speak this morning because of all the shouting and ranting, not least from him.

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