Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

Gabhaim buíochas den Aire as an chúpla focal a dúirt sé ar an ábhar tábhachtach sin. Caithfidh mé nóiméad ag caint faoin reifreann atá ag teacht roimh an samhradh. Ba léir dom ag an deireadh seachtaine tar éis caint le daoine i mo dháilcheantar a bhfuil suim acu faoi chúrsaí a bhaineann leis an reifreann gur mhaith leo bheith i lár na hEorpa. Tá sin tábhachtach agus sinn ag caint faoi chúrsaí sa Ghréig. Maidir leis na daoine atá i gcoinne an reifrinn, ba léir freisin go raibh siad ina choinne is cuma cén ábhar ar bhain sé leis. I mo thuairim, agus de réir na pobalbhreithe a bhí sa nuachtán ag an deireadh seachtaine, tá na daoine báúil don Eorap agus tá suim acu Éire a choimeád i lár na hEorpa. I mo dháilcheantar tá a lán daoine atá ag obair sa talmhaíocht agus i ngach contae sa tír tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil na margaidh oscailte chun a dtáirgí a dhíol. Nuair a labhair mé le muintir Fhine Gael agus daoine eile nach bhfuil ina mball páirtí ar bith, tá siad ar aon-intinn go bhfuil sé tábhachtach Éire a choimeád i lár na hEorpa.

This debate provides me with an opportunity to speak not only about Greece, the subject of the legislation, but also the broader context of Ireland's position. Despite previously bemoaning the fact that Ireland was being discussed in the parliaments of other European Union member states, several speakers in this debate do not appear to have a problem in lecturing the Greek Government on its internal affairs, especially how it deals with budgetary issues. The Greek people have endured a tumultuous period and unfairly become the butt of many jokes. Greece is a sovereign and proud country, to which we can trace back the roots of democracy. It is a relatively new democracy which has experienced turbulent times since the Second World War. Greeks will be annoyed to hear members of another sovereign parliament lecturing them on what they should do with a deal negotiated by their sovereign government with 26 other member states, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and others. They will not be grateful for lectures from Members of the Oireachtas on what they should or should not do or what impact the deal may or may not have on their economy. When Deputies throw around comments about other member states in a European Union of equals, they should remember previous comments they may have made about how Ireland was being perceived in other parliaments.

Some of the Deputies who have spoken have changed their tune in the past 12 months. Having seen the fortunes of their party improving in the opinion polls, they may believe that if they temper their words a little more, their fortunes could improve further. Some of them refused to admit until recently that they had anything to do with the bank guarantee and wondered whether they were present in the Seanad Chamber when a certain vote was called or whether their words about the green jersey and bailout were taken out of context. They have suddenly gone full circle and want to distance themselves from their actions in this Chamber and the other House. People will be able to judge the unfairness of that approach.

We heard comparisons being made between Ireland and Greece. For many months the Minister for Finance has been at pains to point out that one cannot draw comparisons between our two countries which are totally different in respect of economic forecasts, where they are coming from and where they are going. The leadership provided in this country proves that is the case. For instance, if one compares Greek and Irish exports, one finds that Ireland is in a much stronger position than Greece to drive its way out of its difficulties.

That being said, as a member of the European Union, should Ireland wash its hands of countries that find themselves in difficulty or should we try to help them? I welcome the opportunity to discuss the European treaty and put it to the people in a referendum because it will be the first time we will have a proper, informed debate on the issue. The fiscal treaty is relatively small and those who seek to drag irrelevant issues into the debate will soon be found out. The first set of opinion polls since the treaty was signed was published at the weekend. The polls show that if issues are distilled for members of the public, they wish to be central to rather than on the periphery of Europe or left behind.

One speaker referred to Greece signing up to austerity for posterity, while another argued that the European treaty would enshrine austerity in law. To be fair to the speakers concerned, they may need a dictionary. Countries are being required to live within their means. One hears socialist parties argue it is a bad thing to live within one's means. Many of these parties had close associations with some of the former Soviet leaders and many have admirers in the last remaining Soviet outposts of North Korea and Cuba. They appear to believe it would be a bad thing to make it legally binding on countries to live within their means. Greece finds itself in its current position because governance, oversight, accounting and reporting were lacking. We heard about similar problems in this country. Fortunately, however, Ireland's economy is export led.

Deputy Mick Wallace is correct that austerity measures are having a major impact on families. There comes a time, however, when people must take responsibility. In fairness to the Leader of the Opposition, he attempted to take some responsibility at the weekend when he issued an apology. Others must also ask themselves whether they acted responsibly or treated people fairly in the past 14 or 15 years.

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