John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

Exactly. The Minister is quick to tell the Irish people that our lifeline will be cut off if we do not vote "Yes". I believe the treaty commits Ireland to years and years of austerity, further unemployment and cuts in benefits. There is no question about that and there is no point in denying it. We heard too much before the election that this would not happen and that this Government would not bring in austerity measures. The Minister said it himself in every television programme and everywhere he was in a debate. There is no question in my mind that the people have to ask themselves whether this will happen if we vote "Yes". There is no question about that and I think the Government should be honest. Its members should not come in here and tell us we are not going to face further austerity over five or six years, that we are not going to face high unemployment rates and that we are going to face economic growth; we are not. All the indications across Europe suggest otherwise, including what all the top economists are saying, irrespective of what way we vote on the treaty. That is what we are facing for the next few years.

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