Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I take this opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed Leader of the House. I and the other long serving Members of this House, and I am sure I speak for the newly elected Members, value the expertise and experience Senator O'Rourke brings to the House. We are privileged that she has this position and I look forward to working with her during her term of office.

I wish to refer to a theme that appears to be running through this debate. It needs to be nailed because it is dangerous nonsense. It is the sideshow about alleged cuts, broken promises and fooling the electorate in the last election. It is dangerous nonsense in the context of the Nice treaty debate.