Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

The Government had and still has a veto on that blackmail clause. The European stability mechanism treaty must come before this Dáil, as must the changes to the treaty on the functioning of the European Union that are required to copperfasten all of this. When the Dáil votes on those matters, it will be deciding whether to foist this blackmail on the Irish people as a weapon to try to force them to vote in favour of the fiscal compact. The Government and its Deputies have serious questions to consider. I look forward to a vigorous, democratic and open debate. I hope we will not hear any more lavish claims of massive jobs and investment on the basis of a "Yes" vote, as we heard during the debates on recent treaties.

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