Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I could not agree more with the Deputy, particularly in respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. This is a singularly uplifting document. It is probably the best document that has been produced since the Treaty of Rome. It is an extraordinary document that sets out the values we, as Europeans, espouse. On the matter of workers, John Monks of the ETUC, who is no ingenue and is not easily fooled in these matters, said that "the EU is like a European trade union; whenever we do things together, we are more effective, more powerful and more impressive than if we act separately". The ETUC supports ratification of the Lisbon treaty and the final point to Congress made by Mr. Monks was that he hoped the Irish people would approve it.

What is really significant about the charter and the extraordinary mendacious statements made on some of the more lurid posters around the city is that the charter is not just an uplifting document, it is a celebration of the values that have helped us as a nation since we joined the European Union. There are few rights that workers have enjoyed in this country that have not been advanced by our membership of the European Union. The Deputy and I both recall the bad days prior to our entry to the European Union when women workers were treated as second class citizens by the laws of this State. Their rights were vindicated and furthered by Europe. I was much impressed by Des Geraghty when he recently stated that every trade union official dealing with an employer knows the enormous benefit Europe has brought to the fight for the protection of workers.

It was my great privilege to work with Proinsias de Rossa, MEP, during the course of the convention on the future of Europe in the social Europe group. The people who work there, whether from the left, right or centre, would not recognise the debate taking place in this country on the issue. The suggestion that somehow workers' rights will be trampled on is such a farce when one considers what impelled the movement towards the enactment of the charter. The suggestion that our minimum wage rate will be undermined is a downright lie. I am sad Sinn Féin Members are not in the House because I heard their spokesperson recently state that the Lisbon treaty does not alter the minimum wage, and that was honest. The treaty cannot do so. I have been a trade unionist for most of my life and I am still a member of a trade union, and I support that. Joe Higgins, MEP, of all people speaks about Cóir's posters which suggest that the minimum wage will do a disservice to those who fought for workers' rights. The mendacious statements that are made are not just a disservice to workers' rights, they are a disservice to the truth, and political debate above all else should depend on truth.

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