Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on the referendum and to say how important it is to our future economic activity and opportunities to ensure that people stay and work in this country and that we have a vibrant, developing, progressive economy. We are one of the 17 members of the eurozone. We are part of a market of 500 million people. That market is vital to trade and future growth. Unfortunately, because of decisions made by the previous Government we are now dependent on international institutions to pay our pensions, salaries to the public service to keep hospitals open and pay for doctors, nurses and other services, education, schools and public services in general.

Unfortunately, we have seen living standards drop. They depend on our reputation as a strong and stable place to do business. The treaty will give that message which will attract business and investment to this country. The euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland. Previously we had the Irish pound or the punt as it was known. It is the money with which we trade and have in our pockets. It is the currency we save, spend and with which we purchase services. The future health of the euro matters personally to each one of us. It is our currency and we want nothing more than is due to people, namely, to live in this country where we can find decent work, have a home, take care of our families, watch our children grow up in the company of their friends, see our children educated and have a livelihood in the country and as the cycle of life continues that in our elderly years we receive proper treatment and have a quality of life we deserve having contributed to the State through our lives.

A crucial tool available to us at present for which the treaty has implications is the firewall in the European Stability Mechanism. Any country which ratifies the stability treaty will have access to it. If any country does not ratify the stability treaty it will not have access to the European Stability Mechanism.

This is a treaty on stability and is about ensuring a stable currency for Ireland; ensuring a stable euro. It is about confidence abroad and maintaining and enhancing the influence which we have built up with many investors. We have seen progress in that area in recent weeks and months in international companies looking to invest in the country but we must enhance our influence to attract those companies and to influence our European partners.

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