Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

By supporting this treaty, the Irish people will be enabling the European Union to take specific action which will benefit business interests in Ireland. The treaty will ensure increased access for Irish business to European markets. It will also ensure that Ireland will retain a veto in key areas for Irish business, such as taxation. We must not be deluded or confused on this issue — we retain our veto on taxation. The treaty will improve our ability to attract foreign direct investment and will increase access for Irish business to international markets. It will lead to enhanced investment in research and development and an improvement in the European transport infrastructure. Critically, it will also reduce Ireland's exposure in the area of energy security. If the opponents of the treaty are seriously suggesting that such developments are bad for Irish business, then I throw up my hands in absolute desperation and exasperation.

Overall the case for the Lisbon treaty is indisputable. The EU has been and will continue to be good for Irish business and the Irish people. Those of us supporting this Bill realise that we have the facts on our side. The people who oppose this treaty do so on the basis of misinformation, misinterpretation and the concoction of some far-fetched tales. By sticking to and promoting the facts it will become clear to the public that this treaty is in their interests. I commend the Bill to the House.

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