Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank my colleagues for sharing time. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on the Lisbon treaty.

I do not understand why Members feel the need to say they accept the decision made by the Irish people. I am satisfied if the majority of people had voted "Yes" they would not feel the need to express such sentiment. There is an implicit withholding of some support for the decision when we feel we must formally state we accept it. I do not believe it is necessary for us to say that. The people have spoken; they are sovereign, we are not.

The people did not, in my opinion, say "No" to Europe or even to the Lisbon treaty. It was a vote against many other issues, most of which were not covered by the Lisbon treaty. Many issues were raised. One needed to be well-up on politics to discuss the treaty. Not only were representatives asked about the Lisbon treaty but they were asked about many other issues, most of which were not covered by the treaty.

I wish the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs every success as they commence the process of addressing the difficult decision taken by the Irish people. It is the right of the people to deal a difficult set of cards to Government. It is incumbent on the Government to move forward now. There will be no quick decision in this regard. We must take our time, reflect on the matter and ensure we get it right next time. It is too early to speculate what will be the outcome of the process but I have every confidence the Taoiseach and his Ministers will find a solution that will be acceptable to us at home and at European level.

We must examine how we conduct our campaigns. It will be difficult in the future to get this type of referenda through. We pass complicated legislation in this Chamber every week. I have no doubt that if legislation such as the criminal justice Bill or Finance Bill were put to the people there would be absolute confusion in the country. People expect us to legislate and other countries expect us to get on with the job. However, we are constitutionally obliged to obtain the people's imprimatur before we ratify treaties of this nature.

We need to re-examine the role of the Referendum Commission which did an improved job this time as compared with previous occasions. Also, the media position is difficult in that it must provide equal time to both sides of a campaign. There will be institutional confusion in debates on referenda from here on in. If there is not absolute contradiction of one speaker by another, people will say there is a lack of balance. I am not suggesting only one side of the argument should be heard. However, we must seek a more workable and practical formula. Having to listen to debates by so-called experts on both sides of an argument is making it difficult for people to make up their minds. This adds to people not voting, notwithstanding the reasonable turnout we had on this occasion.

See this speech in context