Dáil debates

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

It is kind of the Deputy to invite me. It is important that supporters of the treaty from all parties are seen to work together for the sake of the country once the date of the referendum is confirmed. This is especially the case in constituencies where determined opponents of the reform treaty are calling for a "no" vote.

The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Tony Killeen, referred to jobs and the economy. News is emerging that jobs will be lost in a plant on the Ballymount Road in Tallaght. These and other regrettable job losses announced in my constituency in recent months put us under pressure. I was sorry to learn of these job losses from a call from Tesco this afternoon. In the context of this debate, such announcements serve as a reminder of the importance of investment and the job creation needs of our communities. I am never afraid to talk up Tallaght in that regard. I extend my best wishes to the workers who will be affected by the announcement, which is being made as I speak.

The economy continues to benefit from the success of the Internal Market, which established a system of free movement of goods and services in the European Union. This development suited Ireland as an exporting country. The statistics bear out how well Ireland, as an active and strong member of the Internal Market, has fared. In 1998, we exported goods and services worth €39 billion to other EU member states. By 2006, this figure had jumped to €56.6 billion. In a recent survey, 82% of Irish respondents stated they had total confidence in the workings of the Internal Market. Companies around the world use Ireland as a gateway to the European Union, a marketplace of 500 million people. The economy has developed and prospered on account of rather than despite our participation in the Internal Market. Ireland's economic success will continue if we vote "yes" in the referendum on the Lisbon reform treaty.

Several speakers referred to the need to counter the negative stories emanating from the "no" campaign. There has been a strong response to stories concerning the impact of the Lisbon reform treaty on our abortion laws. Nothing in the treaty empowers the European Union to overrule the Irish Constitution in matters such as the right to life of the unborn. Ireland has secured a specific safeguard on the issue of abortion. We must be brave and challenge stories of this nature as they emerge in the coming weeks.

I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words on the referendum and wish all sides well as we tackle this challenge. I look forward to voting "yes".

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.