Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There was no objection raised either at the committee or when the Estimate went through the House on Friday last. For Deputy Ó Caoláin to say now that this is a blackmail clause about an austerity treaty smacks of absolute hypocrisy. I suggest he might inform Deputy Adams of that and he might also inform him that when he makes his proposition for a "No" vote, he should explain to the people of Ireland how he proposes that this country be run, how we should fund our services, how we should pay our people. He should explain the context for confidence in the future, given that Sinn Féin advocates a "No" vote in this referendum. The Government will provide factual information on the treaty to every citizen and the parties supporting this referendum will launch their own individual campaigns.

The Government has made €2.2 million available to the Referendum Commission which will act entirely independently in its work in informing people about the fiscal stability treaty.

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