Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

Absolutely. The response from Government over the past few days has been pathetic. I have seen no enthusiasm on the Taoiseach's part to solve this problem, no motivation or evidence of a sense of urgency about the crisis we find ourselves in. I appeal to the Government to show some energy to try to find solutions to this problem. Speaking for Fine Gael, we on the Opposition benches are willing to help in that regard. We want to solve the impasse, the stagnation we are facing in Europe. We want to see solutions and respond to the concerns of the people which are varied and multifaceted on taxation, neutrality and so on. We need to react, come up with solutions and deal with the concerns expressed by the Irish people in voting "No". We need to put new solutions on the table.

I want to see some leadership from the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, and the Government. I want to see them working day and night to solve this problem. It is not going away and we need to find a solution. There are two options, in my view. One is to allow the Lisbon treaty to be ratified as Ireland stands back and becomes part of a eurosceptic fringe. The other option is to get our act together, to instil some hope, confidence and belief to show the Irish people that we have solutions to their concerns and can move forward with integration so that Ireland can be at the heart of it. I am fearful about Ireland's chances of getting a good deal, with the CAP health check coming around the corner and all the negotiations on environmental issues, carbon reductions etc., at EU level. How will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be able to represent us with any credibility, or, indeed, the Taoiseach? We need solutions. We on the Opposition side are prepared to work with the Ministers and Taoiseach, but we need to see some determination and commitment. I have not seen it in this Chamber over the past 24 hours.

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