Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I commend the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 to the House. Over the next two months we will hear both sides of the debate on accepting or rejecting the Lisbon reform treaty. Two guiding questions must be asked by all voters. First, what would the impact be on Ireland if we were to vote "No"? Second, how will this treaty affect the voter?

A "No" vote would have a serious impact on Ireland's economy and people. We have heard many reminders about how beneficial membership of the EU has been for Ireland. As Deputy Moynihan stated, education was one key area. Foreign direct investment was only €16 million in 1972 while today it is billions of euro. The workforce has more than doubled, social rights have improved significantly and Structural Funds have contributed to improving our infrastructure. We are now part of the strongest currencies and have unfettered access to a growing market of 500 million people.

Ireland's relationship with the EU has been a very positive one. The "No" campaign, on the other hand, is pulling up the drawbridge before less fortunate member states can get on board. Theirs is a selfish and thoughtless position to keep what we have achieved for ourselves. Being part of a wider regional political and economic entity enabled us to modernise in many ways. We are a small open economy. It would never make sense for us to go it alone.

A "No" vote would indicate to our economic trading partners, both in the EU and outside, that we are pursuing an isolationist policy. A "No" vote would reduce, not increase, our speaking voice in European institutions. While Ireland will lose a commissionership for five out of every 15 years, the consequences of this change are being exaggerated. Every state will lose a commissionership for the same length of time. A more streamlined, efficient and co-ordinated Commission will be better equipped to deal with future challenges. Some ask if it makes a difference if there are 18 or 27 Commissioners. The answer is "Yes". The EU is facing more challenges in 2008 than when the six founding member states came together in the 1952 to form the European Coal and Steel Community. Any other successful organisation would alter its rules to reflect major changes. The EU should not be any different.

A "No" vote would signal to investors that Ireland is not fully committed to the EU. The timing of the referendum, when we are seeing signs of an economic slowdown due to the global credit crunch, could not be more significant. Due to our Constitution, we have an opportunity to signal to investors our commitment to Europe — no other member state has this chance.

How will the treaty affect the individual voter? To many people, the EU is regarded as something that happens in Brussels and may not directly affect their lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. The EU has a direct impact on many aspects of our lives through our currency, regulations and directives in the areas of food safety, employment and human rights law, common travel areas and common markets. We are also part of an economic unit that provides a counterbalance to the US.

The five main changes to be introduced by the Lisbon treaty are a two and a half year presidency of the Council instead of a rotating six-month one, the reduction of the Commission from 27 to 18 in 2014, the increase in the legislative powers of the European Parliament, the increase in the role of national parliaments and making the Charter of Fundamental Rights a legally binding document. These changes will affect the individual and quite simply, they will make the European Union better equipped to face future challenges. In particular, it will be able to deal with modern global challenges, such as climate change, transnational crime and trafficking, immigration, significant changes brought about by population increases and the threat of pandemic diseases.

A longer-term EU Presidency will provide a more coherent and co-ordinated policy and will allow the EU to play a leadership role when needed. A more streamlined Commission will, similarly, enable more effective policy making. The expansion of the role of both the European Parliament and national parliaments will create a more democratic and transparent Union, enabling citizens to have a more direct input.

Another example of this is the citizens' initiative, whereby citizens can make a proposal directly once they have a million signatures. The Minister last week reminded us that in 1979, when the European Parliament was first directly elected, it had no legislative power. The EU is therefore moving at a very steady pace towards becoming more democratic and transparent, and not less transparent as one could imagine by listening to some people. As well as being more democratic, the EU will have a more co-ordinated method of policy making.

The side advocating a "No" vote would lead one to believe the Lisbon treaty is undemocratic and a bad deal for Ireland. I honestly cannot see the logic in those arguments. That side contends we are heading towards increased militarisation and a common tax base, all of which are issues being used to try to spook voters. The arguments are without foundation as the triple lock mechanism is protected and we maintain unanimity in the tax area. There is no Irish support, either politically or in the business sphere, for a move towards tax harmonisation. The Lisbon treaty does not give up control in this area.

That Ireland is the only country holding a referendum means we have a great opportunity to have Ireland's voice heard on the international stage. We can signal our commitment and ability to continue to shape European policy in the years ahead.

Over the next two months there is no doubt we will see a very broad range of arguments and issues but this treaty has already received endorsements from a variety of social partners, including employers' group IBEC and the farming group, the IFA, which Deputy Durkan knows well. There is significant support for this and the treaty will be approved, although not without good, clear and coherent arguments. That is what this Government is facilitating and I compliment Deputy Roche on his Trojan efforts to get across the message.

People are always indicating they do not have enough information but there are tonnes of information out there if people make any effort to look for it. Sometimes when people indicate they do not understand something, it means they do not really want to. It is our job to deliver the message to the doorsteps, which we will do.

I ask voters, when making up their minds, to do so on the basis of two questions. These are what the treaty will do for Ireland and what it will do for the individual. When voters reflect on those questions, they will realise this treaty is good for Ireland, other smaller nations and Europe as a whole.

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