Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 October 2002

European Union (Scrutiny) Bill, 2001 changed from European Union Bill, 2001: Second Stage.

 

The referendum on Saturday, whatever way it goes, will not be the end of the story. If we vote "Yes," as I hope we will, it will not be the last time the people will be asked to vote on Europe. Less than three years from now we will be faced with the need to approve another new treaty which will be much more wide-ranging and fundamental in its implications than anything in the Nice treaty. If by the time of the next referendum all the changes we have made in the way we approach the European Union are contained in the tiny Bill before us, we should not be surprised if the people in 2005 show the same lack of knowledge and interest as they did last year and which, according to the Referendum Commission, they still show a year later.

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