Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Much commentary has been made on arguments presented by people from the "No" side in the course of the Lisbon treaty debate last year, some of which I, and a number of the Taoiseach's colleagues, roundly rejected at public meetings because I did not agree with them. However, equally, wrong and false assertions were made by the "Yes" side. I will clarify one assertion. Voting "No" to the Lisbon treaty does not mean we are voting "No" to the European Union and the consequence of voting "No" is not that Ireland will be pushed out of the Union any more than we faced that prospect following the rejection of the first Nice and Lisbon treaties. It is important that people have confidence in listening to the arguments going forward to participate in the referendum, which the Taoiseach signalled will be held in early October, that they know exactly what they are voting about. It is about the Lisbon treaty and what that implies for Ireland's sense of its place in Europe and of how Europe will manage its affairs going forward and not about Ireland's future role in the Union.

Can the Taoiseach also confirm that when the people are asked to vote on the referendum in October, it will be on exactly the same treaty that was presented to them last year without a single comma or full stop being changed in the text of the treaty and without being altered in any way? Deputy Kenny confirmed this earlier when he stated: "There was never any intention of changing the Lisbon treaty." Does the Taoiseach accept that people like me who took a "No" position on the treaty as presented last year feel he and the Government have not in fact sought any change to the treaty, despite what I and many people believe was a clear and unequivocal statement from the people in the referendum campaign and result?

Following the European Council meeting, we have the promise of a protocol on neutrality, taxation and what many would describe as ethical issues. How will this promise become a protocol? Will he outline exactly how that will translate into a protocol? It has been stated it will be attached to a future accession treaty. Which accession treaty? When does he expect that the treaty to be presented? Will he confirm that the protocol will not be attached to a treaty and, therefore, will not be legally binding until after the people have voted on the Lisbon treaty for a second time and we will not see a protocol attached to a treaty in advance of the second request of the Irish electorate to pass judgment on the treaty?

We all recognise EU law provides that all states must ratify a treaty before it comes into effect. In Ireland's case, the view of many people across the country who have watched the unfolding events since last year is that the Government did not respect and, indeed, abandoned, the decision of the electorate last year. The Taoiseach has disagreed with this and defended his position stoutly over the period since.

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