Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputies for making time for me. I listened with interest to the debate for most of the afternoon. In response to some of the points raised, the European model replaced centuries of anything but neutrality. We had allied nations, nations behind the Iron Curtain, and nations being as neutral as they could, such as Ireland, Holland and Belgium. Every neutral country got rolled over by one of the axis, allied or Iron Curtain states and we had centuries of this. The reason the European model has worked is that it was totally different; it set about bringing peace and stability, food security, employment and a better life for the now 500 million citizens.

When we joined in 1973 it comprised nine states and there are now 27. Any organisation, company or business that expands threefold will have to change how it does its business and operates. The voters of this country are sophisticated but they do not want a simple message made complicated. They want what is involved explained honestly in black and white. Since the first referendum on the Lisbon treaty was defeated, clarity has been brought to a certain number of issues which were of concern to many people, namely, tax, neutrality, qualified majority voting, defence, and the determination of our social and moral policy issues.

The danger is that from now on we will state we have done all that and people should vote for it. We have to continue to engage with people. Unfortunately, the previous referendum date was announced by a Taoiseach who was about to leave office. The way in which it was announced this time is much more helpful and we know what we have to do. I ask all sides to pull back from political brinkmanship - Independent Members as well as party Members - and let us engage in a true, proper and informed campaign to convince the people honestly that this is the best road to go.

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