Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

The treaty will not raise taxes because it contains no reference to a common tax policy. Ireland will retain control of its own tax policy and tax rates. The treaty does not create a superstate. It safeguards our sovereignty and sets out the areas for which the EU has responsibility and its limits. It will not lead to abortion and stem cell research. The opposite is the case. Health policy is a matter for each individual country. We will not be forced to join a European army. Our neutrality is fully protected. European military activity is directed at peacekeeping and crisis intervention and participation is an option for any country. We have heard this argument over the past 40 years and it is not true. We must bring that debate to the people. I have attended a number of meetings on the treaty and this is the story that comes up all the time. I am asked whether we will have a super state and be conscripted into an army. That debate must be brought forward by all the political parties.

The treaty also gives a legal basis for combating climate change. This is the first time this issue has been included in an EU treaty and it is most welcome considering what could happen to our environment over the next decade. It is much easier for a European Union of 27 countries to deal with climate change on a broader basis than for one small individual country to deal with it. I welcome that part of the treaty.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is present in the Chamber. In the area of justice and home affairs, particularly combating international terrorism, drug and human trafficking, the reform treaty provides for majority voting in the fields of criminal law and police co-operation. While there is scope for all people to cross borders freely, there is also scope for criminals to cross borders freely. There must be police co-operation in all areas to prevent drug trafficking in the free movement area.

The Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, referred briefly to the farming community. For the first time, the European Parliament as well as the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will have a say on agriculture issues. Farmers will be able to lobby and influence their MEPs on matters of concern in agricultural policy. These are just some of the facts in the Lisbon treaty.

I am a member of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, which is chaired by Deputy Bernard Durkan. Many groups have appeared before that committee in recent months, including the social partners and other groups with an interest in the treaty. The committee has a role to play. Next week we will meet some of the opponents and it will be interesting to hear what they have to say. The social partners have a very important role to play in actively promoting the treaty, particularly those in favour. Sometimes people do not have confidence in politicians which is why organisations like the IFA and IBEC have a very important role. The Joint Committee on European Affairs will take the information campaign to the electorate and will visit five or six different venues in the next three months. We will have speakers and will give information on the treaty. We hope that those meetings will be well attended. This is a good treaty that is ambitious, balanced and looks to the future. I commend the Bill to the House.

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