Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I saw the results of a poll at the weekend in respect of the information about the Lisbon treaty. For my part, as the Tánaiste will be aware, six months ago I made the point that the Fine Gael Party would support this treaty strongly and campaign strongly on it, irrespective of any political differences we might have with the Government on economics, health, justice, crime or whatever. I have been at ten or 12 public meetings. I am concerned at the lack of information that is getting out there from Government. One is confronted with leaflets and dealing with persons stating that the Lisbon treaty will introduce euthanasia, abortion, the limiting of family sizes, tax harmonisation, an ending of neutrality, an ending of sovereignty, the introduction of a dictatorship etc. — stuff that is completely and utterly false and off the wall, and is not in any way relevant to the facts contained in the Lisbon treaty.

I would like to think that the Tánaiste, as the newly-appointed leader of his party and the person due to take up the reins of office as Taoiseach, would assume responsibility for the Government campaign here. Genuinely, there is an atrocious lack of information out there. In fact, one of the Tánaiste's party's MEPs stated that this party would peak its campaign too soon. There are just six weeks left and the level of confusion and lack of information is incredible.

I assume this motion dealing with information of voters relates to the short instruction on the polling card that voters will receive through their doors. I want to hear the Tánaiste state now that as the joint director of elections for his party he will assume real responsibility here in putting energy from Government into this campaign and that people will get digestible and understandable information. This is really important. From my perspective, irrespective of any differences we have, this party will campaign strongly and publicly, and will ask all our people to support strongly the Lisbon treaty, which is so critical for the future of the country.

I want to put an end to these theories of conspiracy that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, the Progressive Democrats, the Greens and some Independents are all involved in some subterranean underlying conspiracy to introduce all of the matters I mentioned earlier into the country. It is ingrained in these persons who stand up at public meetings that I attend and we need a very strong response based on facts and giving people information in a way they can understand and appreciate, so that they are properly informed when they go to vote on 12 June.

For my part as leader of the Fine Gael Party, we will follow on the tradition of leaders who went before me, whether in Opposition or in Government, putting the country first in terms of its place in Europe. It is really important that the Tánaiste comes out here strongly and shows decisiveness and leadership in respect of the position he holds at the party level.

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