Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

We cannot lose this referendum. That would do irreparable damage to our country. The first referendum damaged our status in Europe, putting a question mark over our commitment to Europe and people who are actively involved at Commission level say that the Irish are not being treated as well as they were in the past. As one politician said, the Irish simply did not stand their round in the previous referendum. This time we must ensure that the treaty is ratified.

That is up to all of us who are pro-Europe and recognise what Europe has done for us, who are knowledgeable enough and have the capacity to appreciate what this country would be like were it not for the European Union. We have gained real cultural and economic independence since joining the European Union. Ireland has become an internationally recognised independent state. Until recently we were the shining light of Europe but hopefully with Europe's help we will regain our economic independence. We will do this only within the context of the Union and with EU support.

The arguments that the "no" side put forward on defence really annoyed me in the last referendum but they were never fully clarified. That was a weakness in the campaign. It was a disastrous campaign. On this occasion the Government side should embrace and work with the Opposition and make sure that people do not go on solo runs. That happened the last time. There were too many egos involved and put on the line and they got their answer. This campaign will be handled much better than the last.

Many voters in the last referendum were won over by arguments put forward by the "No" side, or were rather less convinced by the "Yes", side. That reflects a shared feeling here because the arguments on the "No" side were shallow and misleading. We must let voters hear the truth clearly and honestly and not let myths and lies be used to damage Ireland's interests. The "No" side deliberately used the treaty's contents on defence to spread myths and inaccuracies. One of the most bizarre claims was that the Lisbon treaty would introduce conscription. This was totally misleading.

I tried to clarify it with people then but it was never fully clarified from on high. This was one of the reasons people voted against the treaty. The European Union can only exercise powers known as 'competences' given to it in treaties. Conscription has never been an EU competence and cannot become one under the Lisbon treaty. There is no European army to which one can be conscripted. People in effect claimed that the EU could exercise a power that it does not have to put people into an army that does not exist. I am sure the Government will make clear to any parents who worry about this that conscription does not and will not exist.

We were told that the Lisbon treaty would mark the end of neutrality and Ireland would find itself dragged into conflicts and lose its power of veto. None of this is true. Our constitutional prohibition on joining a common defence force remains. The amendment to the Constitution states unambiguously that the State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 42 of the treaty on European Union where that common defence would include the State. People were told that the mutual defence clause in particular would threaten Ireland's neutrality. In fact the obligation to assist is qualified by the statement that each state must contribute by "all means in their power". Our Constitution strictly limits the power of the Irish Government in that area. The phrase "in their power" indicates a restriction, not a freedom to act. The key line on defence in European states is that nothing in the treaty can "prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member states". In other words, we are bound only to do things that do not prejudice our neutrality. If something would prejudice it we cannot do it. This is clear, unambiguous and certain.

Membership of the European Defence Agency is good for Ireland because through it we can buy equipment for less. The equipment is the same as that used in all other European countries. For example, it was easy for us to be part of EUFOR in Chad because we all use the same equipment. All the defence issues raised in the first referendum campaign were misleading and inaccurate. They have been clarified to some extent as we are now discussing a second referendum. I ask the Government to be very clear in its clarification of the issues, which will arise again before the referendum.

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