James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

Heads must roll and those responsible should, in the spirit of all revolutions, be seen to go. It is only by a clear out of the corruption that has beset the country that confidence can be restored internationally in Irish integrity.

Monkeys hanging from trees and poles played a part in scuppering a Lisbon treaty "Yes" vote. Apart from the recognisable simian anti-treaty campaigners, the 47 varieties portrayed on posters throughout the country were instrumental in bringing in a "No" vote. While the Bill does not highlight the problems associated with the Lisbon treaty referendum per se, section 9(e) specifically relates to advertising for a referendum, albeit in connection with litter. However the issue of the content of posters must also be considered and addressed.

It is essential that whatever is necessary is brought to bear to ensure that the Lisbon treaty re-run is not hijacked again by politicians at the expense of the issues involved. Posters highlighting individual politicians should be banned from the public arena in the lead up to the re-run of the Lisbon treaty referendum.

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