Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

Like other Members, I am glad to have the opportunity to express my views on the re-running of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty. Like many Members, I canvassed during the last referendum but as was noted earlier, collectively they took their eyes off the ball in respect of the issues with which they were being confronted. As politicians and parliamentarians and people with their ears to the ground, Members should have known the reason that 53% of the electorate voted against it. They should have been more in touch and should have been able to understand the people's thinking. However, Members also failed to tell or explain to the people what was involved in the Lisbon treaty. Barely a week elapsed after the vote before people began to state they voted "No" or abstained because they did not understand the treaty. Consequently, a great number of people did not understand the treaty and as we face into another referendum, it would be naïve to allow the same thing to happen.

Members should consider how this country has gained so much from its membership of the European Union. However, more than 418,000 people are unemployed at present and that number is rising. Last Tuesday, I was in Tipperary town before leaving for Dublin and saw hundreds or perhaps thousands of people standing on the footpaths in the dole queue. I wondered what such people will do when the Lisbon treaty referendum is put before them. While I do not know, I believe Members have a duty and a responsibility to find out what they will do and what are their concerns. These people who now find themselves unemployed have never been out of work previously. Only recently, I read that our stock in the United States of America, particularly in respect of industrialists who might be considering locating here, never has been so low. I spoke to someone who has been involved with such individuals recently and it was explained to me that because we voted "No" in the last referendum, American industrialists are not coming to Ireland as a result. Is this true or false? The people on the live register and in the dole queues should be made aware of the real consequences for Ireland if there is another "No" vote. This is a vital issue that must be explained to people. The population is educated and if people understand the consequences of a "No" vote, many will go to the polling booths and do what both the Minister and Fine Gael wants them to do. It is of major concern to me that the Minister should get over this hurdle.

The second issue I wish to address is that of agriculture. A huge number of farmers voted against the Lisbon treaty in the last referendum and the IFA must bear some responsibility in this regard. At a protest march it held not too far from Leinster House, it stated it would recommend a "No" vote unless the Government did what it was asked. Many people left Dublin and went back to places like Tipperary, having decided to take it out on the Government by voting "No", which they did. I believe the Government has a responsibility to point out what is happening.

However, matters were not helped today when the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced the REP scheme would be stopped. I was amazed to receive a call to that effect from a constituent this afternoon. The REP scheme is extremely valuable to many people across every county in Ireland and Deputies Ned O'Keeffe and Connaughton spoke previously on the importance of agriculture and rural communities. However, making such a statement within a few months of another Lisbon treaty referendum will drive a wedge between the Government and all members of the farming community who have become involved in a REP scheme. They associate it with Europe and perceive it to be of European origin but today's news was like driving a nail into that coffin. Many people in rural areas believe that Europe has been hard on them and that directives and legislation has made their life more difficult.

Members must bring such people with them because Ireland needs Europe. I understand, just as well as any other representative of a rural constituency, how much we have gained from Europe over the years. I have listened to the arguments of those who assert we would be better off outside the Union or by standing up to Europe or that we would be better off without the Lisbon treaty. They are the same people as those who, when the referendum was first held on joining Europe, argued that Ireland should not do so. Deputy Connaughton spoke earlier of the time when he was a member of Macra na Feirme. As a young man, I attended a Macra na Feirme rally in Listowel. I walked through its streets and I will never forget the number of people there who argued for a "No" vote and that we should not join Europe. Ireland was a poor country then and we were badly off. However, the same people were putting up identical arguments again during the last referendum and will be arguing against the treaty when it comes before the people in the next few months.

I wish to make two suggestions to the Minister. The unemployed people who can be found in every town, village and county across this country should be given an explanation of how they would be better off, were we in Europe, as well as of the consequences were we to be left behind, because that is what is happening. The second group of real concern are those people associated with agriculture and who are involved in the farming industry. Whatever happens between now and October 2, there should be no further clangers, such as the one made this afternoon. All Members will work and will do what they can. While they will canvass and campaign, and I am giving a commitment in the House this evening that I will do more canvassing than ever, I ask the Government to give Members a hand in respect of those issues.

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