Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that my understanding of the issue, as well as the Government's legal advice and the advice from almost all sources, is precisely the same as hers. The suggestion that this is a self-amending treaty and that if the treaty is to be changed in any significant way in the future, the Irish people could simply be ignored is not true. It is not based on any fact.

The clearest view on the matter was expressed this week by the chairman of the Referendum Commission. I hope that during the course of this campaign, the commission, which is now operational, will deal with these issues with the same clarity. It is simply not the truth to make the assertion that referenda can be avoided in the future. As an amendment is made, in the normal course, the Attorney General is consulted. As has happened on this occasion, following that consultation, we will go through the referendum process.

It is a disservice to political debate for any organisation or political party to distort words to the extent to which they have been distorted. I welcome the fact that there are other players in the field and that there is a debate. However, I wish the debate could be kept factual and truthful.

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