Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I propose to share time with Deputy Noel Treacy.

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on the Bill. In the presence of Deputy Connaughton, I thank Fine Gael and the Labour Party for standing so firmly alongside the Government parties on the reform treaty. There is no standing behind or in front on this issue. The treaty should transcend party politics. Its importance to the State and its citizens is reflected in the unanimous goodwill felt by so many colleagues in the House.

Ar dtús báire, ar an ócáid seo, ba mhaith liom cuimhneamh ar an bhfear uasal, an iar-Uachtarán Pádraig Ó hIrighile, a fuair bás cúpla seachtain ó shin. Ba é siúd a shínigh an chéad chonradh Eorpach sa bhliain 1971. I pay tribute to the late President, Patrick Hillery, who was Ireland's first Commissioner and was instrumental in our entry to the European and a signatory in 1971. Ireland has greatly benefitted from being a member of the Union. This is a small country but one that has been punching above its weight at European level for some time. We deserve to be in the thick of it and play a greater role. These ambitions can be fulfilled with the ratification of the treaty.

We need to support this Bill and this treaty if we are to continue to benefit from the EU in the way we have for so long. We have all heard the list of benefits that will accrue, the enhancement of democracy, the increased role of national parliaments and the reforms to the decision-making processes. This evening I want to dwell on just some of the larger themes of the reform treaty.

The reform treaty represents the changing face of Europe as a consequence of the enlargement of the EU into a body of 27 member states. The rules that previously governed the Union need to be updated. The need for progress comes in the form of the Lisbon treaty, whose ratification is necessary for the advancement of Europe.

Let us not forget that this treaty is largely what was negotiated during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2004. I pay tribute to the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, for his role. Today, all parties rightfully acknowledged the contribution he made to the success of Ireland's Presidency in 2004. There are, of course, detractors who would have the public believe the treaty was formulated privately and without consultation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reform treaty originated from a convention of 200 public representatives from across Europe, who painstakingly crafted the infrastructure of the Bill, with the interests of all member states at heart. I am certain that Ireland's interests are well represented and our key priorities are well protected in the reform treaty. We have maintained unanimous decision-making on tax matters. Commission President José Manuel Barroso commented on this recently and confirmed that tax position. The treaty protects Ireland's traditional policy of neutrality, which I shall talk about later.

Overall, the treaty has strengthened and enhances the European Union. Dáil Éireann will have a greater role in the legislative process of the Union. All legislation before the European Parliament will be sent to our Parliament for a longer period of time for consideration and debate and, if necessary, rejection. If sufficient states find themselves in a similar position, there will be scope for amending draft legislation. The European Parliament will have greater powers in the area of law making. It will have greater budgetary powers, increasing the efficiency of the EU Parliament, and therefore the Union itself. The number of MEPs is to be capped to prevent it from becoming too large to operate in an efficient manner. This will benefit Ireland, in particular, because it will mean the smaller countries will proportionately have more MEPs per capita than our larger neighbours.

The reform treaty also provides for the appointment of a full-time President of the European Council. This office will become a full institution in its own right with the ratification of the treaty. This will replace the current system, which sees rotating Heads of State take up the mantle of President. The President will be elected by the Council for a two and a half year period and the position will be primarily geared towards ensuring the continuity of the Council's work. The new President will also be a mediator, working to secure consensus among member states, as Ireland successfully did in 2004. He or she may be removed at any time so there is a great level of accountability involved.

Many members of the public have been fooled into believing that this treaty is too complex and that it is difficult for individuals to see any direct benefit. To such people I would say that the new treaty will, for the first time, legally bind the Charter of Fundamental Rights and bring the protection of citizens to a new level. The charter sets out the rights already enjoyed by Europe's citizens, including the right to life, the prohibition of torture, respect for family life, the right to a fair trial, the right to vote and the right to stand in European elections. The charter is largely based on the Union's principles, democracy, freedom and equality. No doubt, many challenges face the EU, especially from outside the Union. The 27 countries that make up the Union need to be able to present themselves as a united and credible force against external pressures, global warming, poverty, injustice etc. Deputy Connaughton, in his contribution, mentioned China and India, noting that their combined populations were larger than those of the combined 27 member states of the EU. That puts matters in perspective.

The reform treaty enhances the Union and provides it with means to equip itself against these challenges. It gives us all one voice in which we can speak together. No country can tackle these changes alone, nor stand by and allow these challenges to continue. Together we are stronger so I welcome the force this Union can become with the help of the reform treaty. I am more than aware of the fears surrounding the treaty and the scaremongers prying on such fears. Defence, of course, is a concern, as is the taxation issue. However, I stress that the reform treaty does not change Europe's role in taxation issues — unanimity is required for any proposed changes in this regard. Rest assured, the Minister, with his officials, will vigorously defend Ireland's position, should the issue arise in any future proposed amendments.

Those who are concerned about security and defence issues should rest assured that this treaty merely amends the existing provisions. It enhances the capacity of the European Union for activity in support of international peacekeeping and conflict prevention. Decisions taken in respect of these missions will continue to be made with unanimity. Moreover, Ireland's neutrality is in no way threatened. It was the formulation mooted by the Irish in previous treaties that now ensures individual member states will have their concerns about neutrality and defence respected. For those who fear that this small country will be swallowed up by such a large Union, I believe that this treaty, more than any, will protect our interests. It ensures that the interests of the smaller countries are protected in respect of the European Commission beyond 2014. The number of Commissioners will be cut to 18, on a strict rota basis. If Ireland were a club or a limited company, we might believe that 27 committee members was too much. This measure serves to cap the number of Commissioners. It is important to recall that when Ireland joined the EEC, larger countries retained the right to nominate two Commissioners to our one, so that position is certainly in our favour.

I will conclude by urging a "yes" vote. We owe it to our European neighbours. The Tánaiste and Taoiseach designate, Deputy Brian Cowen, this morning said loyalty is a virtue, and I certainly believe that. Our European partners need our loyalty on this occasion. Europe gave Ireland a leg up in the 1970s and 1980s and the early part of the 1990s when it was needed most. Consider the €50 billion that we have got in funding over those years to build our roads and infrastructure. It has kick-started our €34 billion Transport 21 programme. Compare our social legislation today, workers' rights, the programme on women's issues and our stable currency and economy with the past. We have matured as a nation, as seen by how self-assured we are as ordinary citizens. We should realise the respect in which the Irish are held by our European partners and friends. Ireland is now envied by many in Europe. Prior to joining the EEC in 1973, Ireland was seen as backward, its people inward looking, lacking in self-respect and self-confidence. We had little presence on the world stage. Joining the EEC and participating in European affairs has changed all that. It is incumbent on every citizen to check out all the information and not listen to the scaremongers. There is a very good website and as people delve into it, they will find that a "yes" vote is essential and is for the betterment of Ireland.

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