Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Fáiltím roimh an deis páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht seo ar chonradh na Liospóine, cé nach bfuil ann ach an dara lá den díospóireacht agus nach bhfuil guth i gcoinne an chonartha cloiste sa Teach seo go fóill. Is ait an rud é ar bhealach amháin agus ar leibhéal eile is truamhéileach é nach bhfuil aon ghuth i gcoinne an chonartha cloiste go fóill. Is ait an rud é freisin nach dtuigeann tromlach Baill an Oireachtais, inar chuir an pobal a mhuinín, cé chomh dainséarach is atá an conradh seo do flaitheas agus todhchaí na tíre.

Ireland has a place in Europe. Co-operation with our European partners is essential if we are to meet the challenges facing us in the time ahead. Contrary to what the Government has claimed, no matter how many people vote "No" in the referendum Ireland's future place in the EU will be secure. The fact is that one can support the EU and be against the Lisbon treaty.

This debate is about the implications of the Lisbon treaty for Ireland, Europe and the wider world. My party believes the Lisbon treaty is a bad deal. It was badly negotiated and is a bad result for the Irish people. It gives the EU too much power and reduces Ireland's ability to stop decisions that are not in our interests. It is shameful that the Government has signed up to and is now advocating ratification of a treaty which undermines the interest of the Irish people. The Government has a responsibility to protect the interests of the people and once again on this occasion it has failed to do so.

We are told that all countries are being treated equally. However, Ireland's voting strength is being cut in half while the voting strength of larger countries such as Britain and Germany is nearly doubled. That is equality, Government-wise. I have listened to the Government and Opposition benches — if it is Opposition - and they have told us that it is not practical or efficient to have 27 Commissioners. Let us make a quick comparison with the other side of the Chamber. We have 15 Ministers and 20 Ministers of State for a population of just less than 5 million people. It seems more than credible and necessary to have 27 Commissioners to represent more than 500 million people.

Let no one be fooled by the limited monitoring powers extended to member state parliaments or by the citizens initiative. These gestures, no doubt intended to take the bad look off the treaty, do not address the democratic deficit or the loss of sovereignty. It is irresponsible to undermine parliamentary democracy at home by ceding more powers to the EU Commission and the Council. However, this is exactly what we are being asked to do.

Previously, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, argued that we have not outlined the 105 areas with additional or altered powers under the treaty. He is basing his figures on a British institute, the Schumann school of economics, which states it is 33. I have a list which I can present to any Minister or Member of the House which outlines exactly, word for word from the treaty, 105 areas which will be altered. A total of 68 areas which currently require consensus will be transferred to QMV.

Our position as a military neutral has been systematically undermined by the Government. The use of Shannon airport by US troops on their way to sustain the brutal occupation of Iraq is just one example. There is no mention of the military neutrals in the Lisbon treaty. The Government did not even try to secure recognition of the rights and responsibilities of EU neutrals. However, it agreed to compatibility with NATO. It also agreed to a substantial expansion in the range of Petersberg Tasks in which the EU battle groups can engage. In previous referenda we were told we would not have an EU European army and the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, is in denial. Its military adventures in Chad will cost the Irish taxpayer €40 million this year.

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