Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's leniency.

To an extent, the referendum result must be understood to be the people's judgment on the Government's handling of current national issues. The referendum took place against a backdrop of unemployment rising above 207,000 and massive increases in the cost of living. The result also must be seen as a product of the Government's inept campaign. I refer to the delay in naming a polling date, the Government's aggressive and arrogant campaigning style and, in particular, that of the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, which was vote "Yes" or else, as well as the outburst of the former Taoiseach. The elementary factual errors of several Ministers undermined public trust in the campaign for a "Yes" vote. The Tánaiste twice asserted that the larger member states would still retain two Commissioners.

Other factors included Irish people's frustration with EU bureaucracy and the plight of fishermen. Members are aware that due to European directives, large renewable energy projects have been delayed or abandoned. Moreover, the habitats directive prevents people from using domestic peat as a source of fuel. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government must reconsider the derogation that will expire at the end of the year in this regard. The loss of a Commissioner also contributed. Members must learn from this, listen to what the people have said and provide an opportunity to go about our business in a proper way.

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