Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

There is not one scintilla of change proposed in the Lisbon treaty in this respect as overseas missions must be UN-mandated and approved by the Dáil and the Government.

While I respect any individual's right to speak freely in the Chamber, it is important that he or she respects the fact that the majority of Deputies elected in the last general election supports the treaty and the 28th amendment of the Constitution. I would hate to believe that the previous speaker suggested my mandate was lesser than his. I urge people to become involved in the consultation process, to note statements in this House and elsewhere and to realise that, while Europe has been good for us, Ireland has played an important role in the development of the EU.

See this speech in context