Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Deputy Breen began his contribution by saying how proud he was that the people of County Clare voted "Yes", and I am delighted for him that they did. My own constituency had the highest "No" vote in the country, with a 66% "No" vote, even though we also had a very united campaign among the politicians favouring a "Yes" vote. However, the more we united, the bigger the "No" vote grew. That in itself says something to us all.

It is very important that the House has this debate today and that people speak freely. They should not engage in the kind of tit-for-tat politics that some see as the repercussion of this. The country is facing a very serious issue and we need to reflect upon it and find a way forward. We need to be united in the way we handle it. There is a very important line in the Constitution which states that the people are sovereign and we should always be reminded of it. The people have spoken on this subject. They have clearly said that they reject the Lisbon treaty and not only must we respect their wish, we must now implement it. That is a very difficult task for the Government and for this House because even if the Government attempted renegotiation, where does it start? What does it look for to be included and excluded?

I hope that people in this House follow the excellent contribution made by Hans-Gert Pöttering in the European Parliament yesterday, when he sensibly stated that people should be given time to work it out and not get into the blame game. Where do we go from here? I want to know the views of the 26 member states about whether their parliaments want to ratify this treaty. It is crucial that the ratification process reaches a conclusion. I do not think Ireland should act as some sort of colonial power in deciding that one country should stop that ratification process simply because we voted it down. It is crucial that we come to the end of ratification to see how many countries have decided, in their own way, to ratify the process. It would be ludicrous to put the majority of this treaty, or an amended treaty, to the Irish public again, as happened in the case of Nice, on the basis that the people have voted in a substantial way. The next choice we face is inextricably linked with the European Parliament elections next year. That is the next mandate the Irish people will give when they send 13 men and women to the European Parliament on their behalf. I am sorry, it is 12 men and women. I was adding in another seat for Dublin.

That is the next direct mandate that Irish people will give to the European Parliament. One of the most important aspects of the treaty will be the new powers given to the Parliament. I do not see parliamentarians elected to the European Parliament next year wishing to throw away the new opportunities and powers they have. If the 12 men and women elected to serve the Irish people in the next European Parliament are minded to go forward with some aspects of this treaty, particularly when it comes to parliamentary accountability in the European Parliament, we would need to look at it again. If it comes to a stark choice at that stage between establishing a two-speed Europe, where Ireland will be on its neo-nationalist edge or going back fully into the new Europe as envisaged, I believe the Irish people will vote resoundingly for the latter position because they will see it to be in their interests to be at the heart of the European project and part of this new structure. I believe the Irish people will reject a two-speed Europe whenever and if ever that test comes. However, the next test, the European elections, will be crucial as to who we elect. Will we elect the likes of Mr. Ganley and his ragbag coalition or people who know exactly where we want to take this country in terms of the challenges it faces?

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