Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his election to a prestigious office. It is a great day for Castlebar, Mayo and the west of Ireland where I am from.

The sports complex in Longford is where all the local referendum counts are held. I had never been there before the day the last count was held and expected it would be teeming with MEPs, Ministers, Deputies and county councillors, but to my dismay I was the only elected representative of any of the political parties supporting the Nice treaty. The other elected representatives there were supporting the "No" vote and I knew the referendum was doomed. The Government parties completely lacked commitment and did not pull out all the stops to support a "Yes" vote. When Government and elected representatives are indecisive and not committed, most voters become uncertain. As Senator Finucane stated, confused and doubtful voters are certain to vote against a proposal in a referendum. This time the facts are much clearer and the people are better informed.

I remember the bad old days when there was not a decent road in the country, apart from the Naas dual carriageway, and huge waiting lists for telephones meant one had to approach a local councillor to get one. Back then, if one travelled to Europe, one had to go to a head post office and queue for hours to make a telephone call home which could cost as much as the equivalent of €50 for just a few minutes.