Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Sinn Féin and others are trying to sell the idea that the claims about jobs in the last referendum have been proven false. This is nonsense. Ireland has too high unemployment, but it would be much higher if we had rejected the revised Lisbon referendum. Unlike Sinn Féin and others, I have actually spent a lot of time talking to major investors in Ireland. Every single one of them said to me that investment in Ireland would be lower if we stepped away from the tradition of joining with the advances of the European Union.

Deputy Adams came in here a few months ago and made the incredible claim that his party had been right about Europe for 40 years. If he wants to attack others for their claims during referendums, maybe he could tell us where the nuclear missiles are that he said would be rumbling down O'Connell Street. Where is the conscription that he has spent 40 years telling us was around the corner? Where is there a single major employer who says they will hire more people if we oppose Europe?

Having wasted months, the Government needs to commit today to a programme of real and non-partisan engagement with the public. They need to put aside the aggressive politics which they have introduced into European debates and start a genuine engagement with other pro-Europe parties and the public as a whole. It is mildly ridiculous that the Government has spent a year claiming that the standing of Europe has been destroyed, but has launched only one new EU information programme. This is worthy, but it is directed at children under 12 and is not central to the debates of today.

I want to acknowledge that the Taoiseach has in the last fortnight engaged constructively. I welcome this and I am now calling for a specific series of measures which we should discuss and introduce before the referendum Bill is passed. It is the Government's duty to publish a detailed White Paper which will set out all the issues concerning this treaty and its impact. This must be done well in advance of a Second Stage debate. It should also move quickly to empower the Referendum Commission to begin preparatory work. The ratification Bill must be accompanied by measures which show that this is not the end of the process. There must be measures concerning growth and investment. There must also be a commitment to never again negotiate a treaty in this rushed, secretive and incomplete way.

We believe, therefore, that a formal EU consultation Bill should be introduced, which sets out a process by which the public and the Dáil will be guaranteed a right of consultation in treaty negotiations. We introduced a similar measure relating to EU legislation and this is making a big impact. It should not be the case that the only area where consultation is not required is the most important one of all.

The Oireachtas should adopt a formal negotiating mandate for the Government to seek further treaty changes targeted at the clear design flaws in the euro, which are suppressing growth and employment. This is something which is done in other countries and it would significantly strengthen the Government's hand in negotiations which are obliged to begin once this treaty is ratified.

Ireland must take a more assertive approach to bank-related debts. Last year's policy of talking tough when briefing journalists but leaving the issue off the agenda of summits was foolish. There will be progress on the promissory notes because there must be for the sake of genuine debt sustainability, and because it will have no adverse impact on the wider European economy. This is exactly why it was designed in this way and is entirely separate from sovereign bonds.

This is a referendum which I believe can be won and won comfortably. If the Government is willing to put aside its hyper-partisan and self-congratulatory approach to everything, I have no doubt that a positive message can get across to the people.

As regards the rest of the Council's agenda, we support the Union further toughening its position on Syria. The widespread slaughter of people who want nothing more than a say in the future of their country must be opposed. The regime must be told that there is no way back to the international community and significant support should be given to the opposition. Equally, the Union has a responsibility to increase its support for the democratic forces in other countries that have overthrown dictators but still seek stability.

The summit will also agree a position relating to the G8 and G20 meetings. Those groups are becoming increasingly vocal on the fact that Europe has the means to solve its own problems if it just puts aside rigid policies and orthodoxies. They want a more aggressive policy of supporting sovereign bonds and they are right in this. The Taoiseach should insist that the EU's position at these summits be distinct from that of the members who attend in their own right. It is time to end the timid approach to tackling the crisis. Europe can overcome the crisis and return strongly to growth and job creation, but it can only do so if its leaders begin to show more ambition and generosity.

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