Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, has joined us. It is important to focus not just on the Bill but also on the issue of innovation, research and how we can, as an economic community, ride out the storm. Deputy Alex White is correct; this is about giving consent and working in collaboration with our Greek neighbours and the European Union. He is also correct that this is not about lecturing, pointing the finger or scoring political points but ensuring the European Union can learn from mistakes made and help our Greek neighbours in this case. It is important that we look at the European Union as a partnership that works and which can benefit the Irish people. Greece requires a write-down and is looking for assistance. We did the same. It is not about us being like Greece or the good boys of Europe; rather it is about solidarity and partnership in the Union. It is not about Ms Merkel or Mr. Sarkozy being the top tier pointing the finger and waving a flag but about the European Union and the eurozone.

This is the only English-speaking country in the eurozone and although we are situated on the periphery of Europe, we have an ideal role to play in seeking the renaissance of the country. It is important that we show leadership as democratically elected politicians. That means we should realise the commentators, academics, economists and others with opinions and who like to pontificate are not all right and all wrong. Those of us in government across the eurozone must make decisions to benefit the membership of the European Union. This is about responsibility and duty.

Deputy Alex White spoke about the mood in Ireland. If one goes canvassing, one will hear people saying times are tough and that the level of disposable income is not what it was; people have made sacrifices, but they expect and want those in government to deliver. In its first full year the Government has been moving towards this goal, focusing on the creation of confidence in the country. There are two elements to this, the first of which is foreign direct investment which, as the Minister of State knows from his work in the Department, is starting to arrive in droves. It will lead to job creation.

There is also the question of restoring our reputation internationally. It is important, therefore, that Ministers not just go on junkets for St. Patrick's Day celebrations but also try to sell the country, the workforce and particularly our educated young people and the skills set of the nation. They should point out that we have brought stability and are focusing on growth and the creation of jobs. International confidence requires a sound Government and the implementation of financial policies which will attract jobs and investment. There is an example of this in my own city and county of Cork in the shape of Eli Lilly which involves an investment of €330 million and the creation of 220 jobs. Considering what IDA Ireland achieved last year, one can see that the Government has brought stability and certainty and that it is delivering on job creation. It is important for it to implement policies that will not damage confidence but will build on the progress made in the past year.

Deputy Stephen Donnelly spoke about the Government and the European issue, but within a period of 12 months the Government has renegotiated part of the EU debt settlement deal, worked with the troika and secured a reduction in the amount we must pay. There is more to be done, but it is working towards this end. It is important to realise that we are working with a troika. We have lost our sovereignty and ability to determine by ourselves. We must take steps to regain that sovereignty in order that we can go to the markets and be freed from the requirements of the EU-IMF-ECB deal. It is important that European Union member states work together rather than be preoccupied with internal electoral contests or what is best for individual countries.

The upcoming referendum offers an opportunity to inform the people about what the treaty is about. The challenge for those opposing the treaty is not to introduce the issue of septic tanks, the household charge or the local backyard project. This is about what is best for Ireland and its people, not just today but in ten or 15 years time. We can learn much from what happened at the RDS last week, not at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis but from the queues at the jobs fair. The same is happening in Cork today. We have people who want to work and have the opportunity to engage in the workforce. We must face that issue as a reason the referendum is important. It is important that we vote "Yes" to bring certainty to the issue. It is vital that we have access to the European Stability Mechanism which will provide the certainty the markets require. We must have confidence in order that there can be investment in job creation in Ireland. Those opposing the treaty for ideological reasons should listen and ask what the people want. The political landscape has changed and the leader of Fianna Fáil, Deputy Micheál Martin, has spoken about the end of the "Punch and Judy" show. I welcome his support for the treaty.

We require certainty and leadership, as does the European Union. The peoples of Europe emerged from a dark era in the last century not once but twice. In this century we can emerge from a period of economic darkness. That is the challenge faced by all of us and it will require leadership to be shown. Everybody must live up to that task.

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