Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

It is a great pity that by his actions, he did not ensure fiscal discipline applied.

There are two specific and positive reasons for a "Yes" vote, and I have already emphasised the first. It is to ensure no reckless spending by any future Government to the detriment of our people. In the background we have an insurance policy of being able to obtain assistance through the ESM should we need to seek it in future. It is my hope and belief - shared by the Government - that we will not require additional financial assistance through the ESM but it would be extraordinarily unwise to exclude the possibility of such assistance being available in the context of the choppy fiscal and economic waters through which our State is travelling and which currently prevail across a number of countries in the European Union. We must ensure the stability of the euro and our continuance on the path to recovery. We must see that those who use Ireland as access to Europe will continue to do so, expand their presence and continue to create jobs and attract new companies to Ireland. It is important we vote "Yes" and support the treaty, and I urge people to do so. I urge those calling for a "No" vote to explain to the people where they anticipate funding will come from in the absence in future years of this State having sensible fiscal policies and balanced budgets, which can lead us to paying for the expenditure we incur as a State.

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